Their religion, women, children and beliefs play a big role in the culture. Islam is the religion that claims a large majority of the Iraqi population, the majority of Iraqis identify with Arab culture. The second largest cultural group is the Kurds, who live in the northern highlands and mountain valleys in a politically autonomous colony. The Kurds occupy the provinces of Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk and Erbil, the region of which is called Kurdistan. Almost all Iraqis speak, read and write their official language, Arabic. As in Kurdistan, they speak Kurdish to be able to distinguish Iraqis from Kurds. There are five pillars of Islam: praise of Allah as the only God, with Muhammad as prophet, prayer five times a day, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. This month consists of a period of fasting from all food, drink and activities such as smoking and sexual intercourse during the day. At night, fasting is no longer obligatory, that is, you can do what you cannot do during the night.