Upstate N.Y. School Apologizes for Allowing Arabic Version of Pledge

An Upstate New York school has reportedly issued an apology after students recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic.

Parents and students alike reportedly complained to officials at Pine Bush High School after the school led the Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic during Wednesday morning announcements. Parents of Jewish students and students who lost relatives in the War in Afghanistan were especially offended, District Superintendent Joan Carbone told local media outlets.

The purpose of the Arabic version of the pledge was to honor National Foreign Language Week. The school's foreign language department was to lead the pledge in a new language each day this week as a lead up to next week's foreign language observance.

"The intention was to promote the fact that those who speak a language other than English still pledge to salute this great country," the district said in a statement, according to CBS New York.

Andrew Zink, senior class president and student assembly president, told The Times Herald-Recorder that he knew there would be backlash regarding the Arabic Pledge of Allegiance, but decided to carry it out anyway because "it's the right thing to do."

"I knew exactly what would happen," Zink, who approved the Arabic version of the pledge to be said, told the local media outlet.

"I knew many wouldn't support it," he continued, adding that he would do it again "because it's the right thing to do."