 The majority of Syria 's population in the 12th century consisted of Sunni Muslims , typically from Arab or Kurdish backgrounds . There were also sizable Muslim communities of Twelver Shias , Druzes , and Alawites . The Ismaili presence was small and most were of Persian origin , having migrated from Alamut . They mostly resided in the mountainous area near the northern Syrian coastline . Large Christian communities existed in northern Syria , Palestine , Transjordan and Upper Mesopotamia . They were Aramaic @-@ speaking and indigenous to the area , mostly belonging to the Syriac Orthodox Church . They lived in villages of Christian or mixed Christian and Muslim population , monasteries , and in small towns where they appear to have been on friendly terms with their Muslim neighbors . Ideologically , they were led by the Patriarch of Antioch . 
