It is imperative to understand the geographical nature, cultural diversity, traditions, and religious composition of where Mariam was born and lived the first eighteen years of her life.
Syria, the Syrian Arab Republic, is an Arab country located in Western Asia. Bordering Syria to the southwest is Lebanon, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. The country is known for its fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts. Arabic is the official language of the country. The largest cities are Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Hama, Raqqa, Deir El-Zor, Hasakah, Qamishli, and Sayyidah Zaynab.
Syria is home to various ethnic and religious groups, which includes Arabs, Kurds, Circassians, Turks, Greeks, Assyrians, and Armenians. A country where minorities rule and governs.
Religious groups include Muslims from all sects such as Sunnis, Shiites, Salafism, Yazidis (pre-Islamic, native religion of the Kurds), Druze, and Alawites. Other religions also exist, such as Jews and Christians. Sunni Muslims make up the largest Muslim group in Syria.
