Griot Arts hosted an Iftar & Henna Night on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Rochester. The idea for an iftar, the meal eaten after sundown during the month of Ramadan, and henna night came from a partnership between Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara, owner of Griot Arts, and two local muslim artists Omnya Mohamed and Asha Aden. ADVERTISEMENT "They've done a lot of things as part of Griot Arts," said Nfonoyim-Hara.
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I thought it'd be a really wonderful event to be able to have a low-key community event that they felt comfortable hosting." The event began at 7 p.m.
and led with a prayer session which was followed by iftar and henna tattoos in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting period and a time for celebration. "My vision for this was people on poufs and ottomans sitting and being in a circle and making those connections," said Nfonoyim-Hara. ".
..It's not like everyone knows each other, but it just feels like a really comfortable place to make those connections and to be in community with one another.
And I think that's the most beautiful thing. It's what I want this place to be and what the invitation has always been from the very beginning." Griot Arts will continue hosting community events throughout the spring and summer.
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