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Pomaks. History of the Slavic people of the Muslim faith – History and modernity

Slavic Muslim representation in the Balkans is not confined to bosnians, so loudly had become in the early 90’s. last century. For several centuries the territory of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey inhabits the other Slavic peoples of Muslim faith, calling themselves ahryane and outside the society known as Pomaks.

Pomak wedding celebration in Ribnovo

The brides in Ribnovo don't fit the pearls-and-lace stereotype. They don't wear white dresses, but rather colourful shalvari, or Turkish-style baggy trousers. Their veils are red. And you'd never know if they're blushing, as their faces are covered with a thick layer of white cream and dotted with sequins to create brilliant figures.

A case study of identity formation among pomaks in bulgaria, greece and turkey

At the intersection of Borders and Ethnicities: A Case Study Of Identity Formation Among The Pomaks in bulgaria, greece and turkey “No Balkan Muslim identity is more contested, more wrapped in multiple intertwining twisted webs of myth and history than the Slavic-speaking Muslims or “Pomaks” of the Southern Balkan range” Mary Neuburger, 2000, p. 68.

Bulgarian Muslims demand their names back at landmark rally

Bulgarian Muslims demand their names back at landmark rally The easing of repressive rule by Bulgaria’s new leadership brought thousands of the country's minority Muslims on to the streets at the weekend to demand religious and cultural freedoms, and an investigation into alleged atrocities carried out under the recently deposed Zhivkov regime.

UNHCR Bulgaria : Bulgarian-speaking Muslims (Pomaks)

Profile Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, commonly known as Pomaks, are most probably descendants of Bulgarian Christians who converted to Islam during the period of Ottoman rule, while retaining the Bulgarian language as well as certain Orthodox practices. Although precise figures are not available in census data, the minority is estimated at about 160,000-240,000 people, dwelling mainly in the Rhodope Mountains.

US State Department 2009 Report on Bulgaria Religious Freedom

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits religious discrimination but designates Eastern Orthodox Christianity as the "traditional" religion. Laws executing these provisions are ambiguous, giving scope to arbitrary decisions with respect to public practice of religion by unregistered groups.