[View the story "One nation, under Allah" on Storify ]One nation, under Allah Recitation of US Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic angers some Americans. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Jan 31 2013 15:53:25
Report via KUSA-TV in Denver, Colorado:
Students read Pledge of Allegiance in ArabicBrightcove
The controversy began within Rocky Mountain High School itself. Some felt saying the pledge in any language other than English was inappropriate.
Haha my school is on the news nation wide for allowing the pledge to be said in Arabic although I feel it should only be said in Englishblake levy
High school student Skyler Bowden disagreed:
“No matter what language it’s said in, pledging your allegiance to the United States is the same in every language,”coloradoan.com
One of my students lead the entire school in the pledge of allegiance today...in Arabic. I am damn proud of her. #homeoftheBRAVEBrian Mierzwa
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Others in the United States were angered by the Pledge of Allegiance being read in Arabic:
Another reason to pull your kids out of public schools- Pledge of allegiance in Arabic? One Nation under Allah? http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/school-recites-pledge-in-arabic-one-nation-under-allah.html4aFreeUSA
Over my dead body, and I don't die easy. RT @VeronicaCoffin: Islam in Public Schools but Christianity is OUT? http://bit.ly/YioFh8A Walker
Patheticly Stupid Principal allows Arabic Pledge of Allegiance Recitation at Co HS-Pledge One Nation Under Allah. http://ning.it/VwJd59Dr. Jake Baker
GEE, YA THINK? Arabic Pledge of Allegiance recitation at Fort Collins school angers some. http://kdvr.com/2013/01/30/arabic-pledge-of-allegiance-recitation-at-fort-collins-school-angers-some/Cathy Wahler
Commenter "StoneMike" left this message on the news and opinion website, The Blaze:
What is wrong with America, every parent of every child should pull their child out of this school! Every teacher, every administrator should be fired and loyalty oathes should be given to every teacher in America! We are headed for civil war and when it starts I hope someone pops the mexican teacher that instigated this treason!theblaze.com
Despite these types of comments, Lopez has defended his decision. In an interview to KUSA-TV:
“When they pledge allegiance to United States, that’s exactly what they’re saying — they’re just using another language as their vehicle,” Lopez said.inquisitr.com
The idea originated from the school's Cultural Arms Club, a student-led group that promotes multicultural awareness. Some on social media chimed in with support for the club's cause:
Cool and unique idea to raise awareness. “@hemantmehta: High School Students Recite Pledge of Allegiance in Arabic http://bit.ly/U3NXSI”Mike West
This is what America's all about! Proud of this school and their principal, Tom Lopez. http://www.9news.com/news/article/313505/222/Fort-Collins-students-read-Pledge-of-Allegiance-in-ArabicBilly Freeland
Redditors added to the discussion as well:
Just as a heads up, "allah" is the Arabic word for "god". "Allah" is not an Islam-centric word in ArabicIAmTheMrGuy
Too many people don't want to know this. This isn't just an ignorance of religion, it's also an ignorance of language and culture. Not many people know that Arabic Christians also say Allah.uniquecannon
From commenter "SendtheMeteors":
Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the Pledge say “…with liberty and justice for all?” So, it says that everyone has liberty, but not the liberty to speak another language? Who decides what liberties you can and can’t have? You guys? And then there’s that “indivisible” part of the Pledge. How does that relate to the topic of states seceding from the union?theblaze.com
