Students in Pine Bush are voicing their disapproval Thursday after school administrators allowed the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited in Arabic.
School administrators say reciting the pledge in Arabic was part of Pine Bush High School's Foreign Language week. They say the exercise was supposed to celebrate cultural diversity. In addition, the pledge was going to be recited in other languages throughout the week.
However, some students reportedly became angry and refused to participate.
News about the controversy even led to a string of criticism on social media.
The district has since apologized. District officials say they have agreed to follow state education guidelines, which requires the pledge be recited in English.
The controversy has also garnered the attention of the Arab-American Association of New York. The organization is offering the district its help with cultural relations.