Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point learned about different faiths earlier this month by touring Jersey City's diverse cultural groups.
JERSEY CITY -- Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point learned about different faiths earlier this month by touring Jersey City's diverse cultural groups.
The cadets spent time with Coptic, Jewish and Muslim groups, among others, during a three-day tour of the city for their class, "Winning the Peace," which has annually brought cadets to Jersey City for over a decade.
During their April 15 visit to the Muslim Federation of New Jersey at 530 Montgomery St., cadets asked questions about Islam, ate traditional Pakistani dishes and attended a prayer session with the local Muslim community.
Ryan Schreck, 22, a West Point junior from a small town outside Seattle, said it's been "eye-opening" to learn about different cultures after attending a high school that was mostly white.
"Collectively, we've all really enjoyed this experience so far," he said.
Dr. Rafiq Chaudhry, a board member at the mosque, said the purpose of the cadets' tour is to "appreciate the sensitivities of the different communities living in Jersey City."
"We learn from them, they learn from us," he said.
The program landed in Jersey City about 12 years ago after Councilman Richard Boggiano learned about the class through one of his two sons, both of whom graduated from West Point and served in the Army in Iraq.
Boggiano said the class expands cadets' perspectives.
"It's been a very successful program," he said. "They learn tremendously."
Holly Harrington, 21, a West Point senior from South Jersey, said visiting different cultural groups and seeing how they live together in the same city has been an educational experience.
"It definitely surprised me that we have this population just over here in Jersey City. And it's really impressive how they're able to work together, and it's really good to see that relationship," she said.
Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.