Embroidered textiles bearing Qur’anic verses from the Kaaba in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, were transported abroad. Tiles were sourced from a mosque in Uzbekistan, and a gold-toned metal dome was commissioned to replicate classical Syrian architectural forms. These elements were assembled not for preservation but to furnish an unusual structure on a private island owned by Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein spent years cultivating relationships across the Middle East, pursuing commercial deals while simultaneously collecting rare Islamic artefacts. His objective was twofold: to decorate a distinctive building on his island and to expand his network among influential elites.
Through connections that reached into the Saudi royal court, Epstein secured a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman. He also obtained high-value embroidered textiles that had previously adorned sacred areas within the Kaaba and covered its exterior walls.
A 2014 photograph captured Epstein alongside Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem examining one of these textiles laid out inside Epstein’s New York residence. As with others in Epstein’s circle, this association later carried consequences. Earlier this year, bin Sulayem was forced to resign as chairman of DP World.
A Network Built on Influence and Access
Millions of pages of records released by the United States Department of Justice in January reveal further details about how Epstein expanded both his network and his collection. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The documents also shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding a peculiar building on Little Saint James, Epstein’s private Caribbean island. The structure, characterised by blue and white striped walls and topped with a gold dome, had been variously described as a music room, a relaxation space, a chapel, and even a site for obscure practices.
However, correspondence between Epstein and his associates, along with testimony from an artist involved in the project, clarifies the intended identity of the building.
For Epstein, a secular Jew, the structure represented a “mosque”.
Constructing the “Mosque”
Epstein’s fascination with Islamic design dates back years. In 2003, he told Vanity Fair that he owned what he described as the largest Persian rug ever seen in a private home, claiming it was so large it must have originated from a mosque.
His vision for a religious-style structure on his island began while he was serving a sentence in Palm Beach County Jail in Florida after pleading guilty to solicitation-related charges. Before his release in 2009, he commissioned architects to design a bathhouse inspired by Turkish hammams, surrounded by what he described as Islamic gardens.
He later abandoned that concept and instead applied for permission to build a “music room” within a structure referred to as “Palms 5”. During this phase, he emailed himself design concepts, including images of historic mosques from across the Middle East.
In 2011, he contacted a source in Uzbekistan requesting authentic tiles, stating that the interior walls should resemble those of a mosque.
Romanian artist Ion Nicola was contracted to execute the project. In a recent interview, Nicola confirmed that Epstein consistently referred to the building as “his mosque”, although it remains unclear whether it was ever intended for actual prayer use.
In 2013, Epstein sent Nicola an image of the Yalbugha Hammam in Aleppo, a 15th-century structure known for its gold dome, recessed archway, and striped stonework, requesting similar design drawings.
Among his more controversial requests was a proposal to replace the Arabic word for God with his own initials in English. In an email to Nicola, Epstein wrote that he wanted to substitute the traditional inscription with the letters “J” and “E”.
Diplomatic Channels and Royal Access
By 2010, Epstein had established a close relationship with Terje Rød-Larsen, who played a key role in advancing both his business ambitions and architectural project. Their correspondence covered commercial ventures, personal matters, and geopolitical developments.
Saudi Arabia featured prominently in their exchanges, particularly in 2016 when Mohammed bin Salman, then deputy crown prince, was preparing the planned public offering of Saudi Aramco. Epstein sought to position himself as a financial adviser in the process.
Rød-Larsen connected Epstein with Raafat Al-Sabbagh, an adviser within the Saudi royal court, and his associate Aziza Al-Ahmadi. Through these channels, Epstein launched a concerted effort to gain direct access to the prince, promoting what he described as “radical ideas”, including the creation of a new currency called “Sharia” for use across Muslim populations.
Arrangements were eventually made for a visit to Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahmadi instructed Epstein to present himself at the Saudi consulate by stating that he had received an invitation from the crown prince.
Following his arrival, Epstein sent images of himself interacting with the prince, later displaying one of these photographs at his New York residence.
Artefacts from Sacred Origins
In early 2017, Epstein met Al-Ahmadi in New York while their assistants coordinated the shipment of a tent from Saudi Arabia to his island. Additional items were reportedly prepared for dispatch “for the mosque”.
One communication indicated that Epstein’s team was expecting three items originating from the Kaaba. Documentation included images of embroidered textiles, with one described as having been used inside the Kaaba, another identified as part of the kiswah that covers the exterior, and a third produced by the same specialised facility in Mecca.
The kiswah holds profound religious significance. Each year, a new covering is produced at a cost of approximately $5 million by hundreds of skilled artisans using around 680 kilograms of raw silk and 113 kilograms of gold and silver threads.
Once replaced, the covering is divided into pieces that may be donated to institutions or individuals or presented at charitable auctions.
In an email, Al-Ahmadi described the significance of the piece sent to Epstein, noting that millions of Muslims have touched it during pilgrimage, leaving behind their prayers, hopes, and supplications.
It remains unclear how these items were obtained. Requests for comment directed to Al-Ahmadi, Saudi officials, Al-Sabbagh, and Rød-Larsen’s legal representatives received no response.
Collapse Amid Scandal
In 2017, Hurricane Maria caused widespread damage across the Caribbean, including Epstein’s island. Records indicate that some items inside the structure were damaged or destroyed.
However, environmental damage was not the only challenge. Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to crown prince and his rejection of Epstein’s proposals frustrated Epstein. In a message to Rød-Larsen, Epstein remarked that the kingdom now required extensive assistance because it had not followed his advice.
Following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, Epstein wrote to Rød-Larsen referencing allegations that the crown prince had authorised the operation. The prince denied issuing such an order but accepted responsibility for actions carried out under his leadership.
Rød-Larsen responded that “dark clouds” were gathering and would not pass.
For Epstein, those developments quickly materialised. Within weeks, an investigation by the Miami Herald exposed previously undisclosed details of his 2008 plea agreement, accelerating his downfall.
Despite serving a limited sentence at the time, Epstein had secured immunity from prosecution on far more serious charges.
In July 2019, he was arrested on new charges. The following month, he transferred ownership of his island to a private trust. Two days later, he was found dead in a federal prison in Manhattan, having taken his own life.
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