Marmarita (Arabic: مرمريتا‎, Classical Syriac: ܡܪܡܪܝܬܐ‎, Marmarītā) is a village located in Western Syria close to the governorate of Tartus but administratively belonging to the governorate of Homs since 1953. It was previously part of the Latakia Governorate. Marmarita is probably the largest village in the Wadi Al-Nasarah (Valley of Christians) region of Homs. Other villages in the area are Amar and Mishtayeh. It is also a very popular summer destination and tourist attraction in Syria. It is situated close to the Crac des Chevaliers, or Qal'at El Ḥiṣn, an important historic site and a popular tourist attraction.

All sources indicate that the current name of the village, Marmarita, is derived from the Syriac word Marmanitha, as this was evident in all religious and historical books and documents. What was explained in the Arabic Encyclopedia (by Dr. Ahmad Dawood) was wrong. The encyclopedia suggested that the name, Marmarita, was derived from the Syriac word Marmarato, which means god of gods, which has been mistakenly been viewed as the origin of the name Marmarita, even by the Syrian Television. Syriac speakers agree that the name Maramarita means a place that overlooks [another place], which is very reasonable as the village does overlook the Akkar plateau and the Mediterranean sea and Lebanese mountains. Orthodox and Catholic references confirm that.

Elias Karam (Arabic: الياس كرم‎) (born 1960) is a Syrian singer from Assyrian/Syriac ethnic origins, born in the city of Al-Hasakah in the Northeastern governorate of Al-Hasakah.

Elias was born in Al-Hasakah, Syria in the Northeastern governorate of Al-Hasakah. He learned playing Oud from his father and was inspired by Wadih El Safi at a young age, prompting him to write his first song at 16. After turning professional at the age of 20, Elias started composing music. His most famous tarab song is ‘Amari, Tarab ya kalbi and Koullon ‘anak saalouni. Elias has toured all over the Arab world, Canada, United States, and a number of European countries. He also appeared in some TV series in Syria.