Yazidism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the present-day Nineveh Governorate of Iraq. It is properly a distinct religion but was treated as a Sunni heresy during the Middle Ages. Yazidis believe that God created the world and left seven angels in charge, the chief of whom is the Peacock Angel, Malek Taus or Shaytan, a being usually identified by Christians and Muslims at Satan.