Files linked to the convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein have revealed that a Saudi businesswoman based in the United Arab Emirates gifted him pieces of the Kaaba’s sacred kiswa.
According to correspondence released by the United States Department of Justice in its latest disclosure, Aziza Al Ahmadi, who owns a video game company in the UAE, worked with another individual named Abdullah Al Maari to organise the shipment of three pieces of the Kaaba’s kiswa. The kiswa is embroidered with pure gold thread. The items were sent as a gift to Epstein.
The emails show that the pieces were transported by air from Saudi Arabia to Florida via British Airways. The coordination included invoices, customs arrangements, and delivery procedures within the United States.
The correspondence contains details about the gifted items. One piece was from inside the Kaaba itself, another from the outer kiswa, and a third had been manufactured but not yet used.
According to the emails, the unused piece was classified as a work of art in order to facilitate its categorisation during shipment to the United States.
In one message, Al Ahmadi wrote: “By the way, the black piece has been touched by no fewer than ten million Muslims of different schools, Sunni, Shia, and others. They circle the Kaaba seven times, then each person tries as much as possible to touch it. They have placed their prayers, wishes, tears, and hopes on this piece, in the hope that all their supplications will be answered afterwards”.
The shipment arrived at Epstein’s residence in March 2017, after he had already served a prison sentence and been registered as a sex offender.
The correspondence does not explain how Al Ahmadi came to know Epstein or the reason these items were sent to him.
In another set of emails, Al Ahmadi was checking on Epstein’s wellbeing after Hurricane Irma struck the Caribbean in September 2017, causing extensive damage to his private island.
Over several days, Al Ahmadi repeatedly contacted Epstein’s secretary to enquire about his safety on the island.
The secretary wrote: “Everyone is safe, and that is what matters most. Some buildings are gone, trees are gone, marina wings are gone, roads are impassable, and there is other external damage. But the interior is fine. The situation is chaotic but rebuildable. Thank you for checking in”.
Al Ahmadi replied: “I promise to send you a new tent ;)”.
The messages do not show whether Al Ahmadi ever visited Epstein’s island or whether she was fully aware of what was taking place there.
In another email, Leslie Groff, a senior aide to Epstein, sent Al Ahmadi a DNA testing kit, without clarifying its purpose.
Epstein himself rarely communicated directly with Al Ahmadi in these exchanges. In one message, Groff asked: “May I stop by Jeffrey’s house today before leaving New York to say goodbye and wish him a happy birthday? I only need 15 minutes”.
