A school in rural upstate New York is apologizing for reciting the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic after district residents who had lost family members in Afghanistan complained.

The pledge was read in Arabic during Wednesday's morning announcements at Pine Bush High School, located 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of New York City.

Some students were angered and responded with catcalls.

The pledge, a 31-word expression of loyalty to the U.S. flag and republic, was being recited in different languages for National Foreign Language Week. The principal apologized to students offended by the Arabic reading. The school posted the apology on its website.

The district says the pledge will be read in English only from now on.