Despite the freezing January temperatures outside, The Pond House Cafe’s main room provided a warm, welcoming space last weekend for Muslims from across Connecticut at the state’s first Crescent Ball. “Muslim spaces are often centered around urgency, crisis, responsibility, and while that’s important, tonight is different,” Khan said. The Crescent Ball was an initiative to address the need to get together, not worry if the food is halal or not, and not get questioned why one does not drink or wears a hijab. It was meant as a safe space to exist, share a meal, listen to music, spoken word, and meet other Muslims. “This month and this evening helps recognize the abundant contributions that the Muslim community and our heritage has made to the state.