Signal Hill is a landmark flat-topped hill in Cape Town, next to Lion's Head and Table Mountain. Its name comes from the fact that signal flags were used to communicate weather warnings, as well as anchoring instructions to visiting ships. These were essential as the bay was known for its stormy weather and anchoring correctly was vital to ensure the ships had prepared adequately. Ships could also use flags to signal for assistance if, for example, an anchor line parted during a storm. The guns on Signal Hill were used to notify the public when a ship was in trouble and there was a possibility of casualties on the coast near Cape Town. Today, Signal Hill is known for the Noon Gun that is operated there by the South African Navy and for South African Astronomical Observatory.

It is also known as the burial place of Sheikh Mohamed Hassen Ghaibie Shah al-Qadri. During the colonial era (1652–1910) a number of respected Muslims were buried in the hills and mountains surrounding the city of Cape Town. The Imam was a follower of Sheikh Yusuf al-Maqassari and accompanied him when he was exiled from his homeland in the east, to the Cape in 1694.

When Sheikh, or Shaykn Yusuf al-Maqassari died in 1699, most of his companions were allowed to return to Banten in 1704. Shaykh Mohamad Hassen Ghaibie Shah, however, decided to remain in the Cape, along with two other followers and the daughter of Shaykn Yusuf al-Maqassari, possibly to look after the two sons of Sheikh Yusuf who were forced to remain at the Cape to work until they had paid off the expenses incurred by the Dutch East India Company in providing for the upkeep of Yusuf’s household. As learned Muslims, they would also actively encourage the teachings of Islam.

On their deaths, Sheikh Mohamed Hassen Ghaibie Shah al-Qadri, Tuan Nur Ghiri Bawa, Tuan Sayed Sulaiman and Tuan Sayed Osman were all buried at this kramat on Signal Hill.