Can one stand up as a sign of respect when a non-muslim is to say the opening or closing prayer at an official programme/event? Standing up only and not closing the eyes or responding Amen to their prayers.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible to attend the religious rites of non-Muslims, like the prayer and so forth, even if one does not participate in those rites, as this is witnessing falsehood and this is forbidden. Allaah Says (what means): {And it has already come down to you in the Book [i.e. the Quran] that when you hear the verses of Allaah [recited] they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them.}[Quran 4:140]

The jurists of the Hanbali School of jurisprudence consider that even standing up for a non-Muslim as a sign of glorifying him is forbidden.

Ar-Ruhaybaani from the Hanbali School of jurisprudence said: “It is forbidden to stand up for them (i.e. for the Thimmis [the non-Muslims who live in a Muslim land]) as this is an act of glorification for them.”

Therefore, if this standing up is for one of the rituals of their religion, then it is forbidden with greater reason. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 92082 and 88767.

Allaah Knows best.