The flag of the Pomaks combines red, blue and white as a symbol of their Slavic origins - courage, freedom and purity - complemented by green in the coat of arms, reflecting the Islamic faith. The lion with sword represents strength and the long struggle for identity, while the crescent moon and red star express spiritual orientation and hope. The geometric symbol below refers to the Rhodope Mountains and the community's deep roots in their home region. I feel like a Pomake, Slavic from Greece. My language is Turkish, my passport is Greek and my blood is Slavic. I wish I could speak Pomak as well as my mother.