Dought & clear - Respect for the national anthem or flag.

What is the ruling on standing when the national anthem is played, or
when the flagis saluted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Playing or listening to national anthems is haraam. This has been
discussed in the answer to question no. 5000and 20406. It makes no
difference whether what is played is songs or the national anthem or
anything else.
Secondly:
Standing by way of humility and veneration is not befitting unless it
is done for Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And stand before Allaahwith obedience"
[al-Baqarah 2:238].
Allaah has said that because of His greatness and majesty, the
greatest of creation (the angels) will stand for Him on the Day of
Resurrection and no onewill speak until after Allaah has given him
permission. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"The Day that Ar-Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel) or another angel] and the
angels will stand forth inrows, they will not speakexcept him whom the
Most Gracious (Allaah) allows, and he will speakwhat is right"
[al-Naba' 78:38].
The one who claims that there is any created being for whom one should
stand out of respect have given that created being one of therights of
Allaah.
Hence the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoever likes men to stand up for him,let him take his place in
Hell." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2755); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
inSaheehal-Tirmidhi. That is because this is part of the might and
pride thatbelongs only to Allaah.
See:Tafseer al-Tahreer wa'l-Tanweerby al-Taahir ibn 'Ashoor (15/51).
The caliph al-Mahdi entered the Mosque of the Messenger of
Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the people all
stood up for him except Imam Ibn Abi Dhi'b. It was said to him: Stand
up; this is the Ameer al-Mu'mineen. He said: The people should only
stand up for the Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Mahdi said: Let him be, for all the hairs of myhead have stood on end.
Siyar A'laam al-Nubala'(7/144).
The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: Is it permissible
to stand to show respect to any national anthem or flag?
They replied:
It is not permissible for the Muslim to stand out of respect for any
national anthem or flag, rather this is a reprehensible innovation
which was not known at the time ofthe Messenger of Allaah(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) or at the time of the Rightly-Guided
Caliphs (may Allaah be pleased with them), and it is contrary to
perfect Tawheed and sincere veneration of Allaah alone. It is also a
means that leads to shirk and is an imitation of the kuffaar in their
reprehensible customs, and following them in their exaggeration about
their presidents and in their ceremonies. The Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade imitating them.
And Allaah is the Source of strength; may Allaah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End
quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah(1/235).
And Allaah knows best.