Shibam is an ancient town in the governorate of Al-Mahwit. It was built at the foot of the Tabal Kawkaban, a large flat-topped mountain where the townˇs residents took refuge in times of conflict. The steep 1,100-foot ascent to the summit starts just behind the town. This old mosque is said to have been built on the site of a Himyarite temple between 845 and 1004 AD.