Hutayb Things to Do

Hutaib is the centre of an ismaili community, in Yemen known as Bokhra. The place can be reached over a perfectly asphalted road, probably built or paid for by the ismaili people themselves. They are a sect that is hardly considered muslim by many Yemenis - wild stories are told to Yemeni kids about their 'strange habits' - but they insist they are muslim and respect the main pillars of islam. The women wear light-coloured clothes in pastels; they are mostly not veiled. The ismailis are very diligent and averse of any addictions. They will pay farmers who wish to plant other crops than qat for the transition.
The little village is very clean. At the top of the mountain is a small mosque, but the main attraction (to the ismailis) is the mosque at the entrance of the village. There lies the body of one of their sacred men, which attracts visitors year round, mainly from ismaili communities in India. There appears to be accommodation only for pilgrims.
From Hutaib one can make a nice three-hour trek over the mountains to Al-Hajjarah.