Jeffrey Epstein’s Hidden Mosque: How He Stole Sacred Art for a Private Island

Epstein’s ambition stretched beyond finance; he wanted to own pieces of the holy places he visited. By using contacts in Middle‑East circles, he managed to acquire fabric that had once draped the walls of Mecca’s Kaaba. Those same textiles later appeared in his New York townhouse, where he posed with a UAE businessman who would later lose his job. The story reveals how Epstein mixed two passions: building an elite network and collecting rare Islamic artifacts. In 2014, a photo shows him standing beside Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a high‑profile Emirati executive. They admired one of the Kaaba tapestries spread on the floor of Epstein’s Manhattan apartment. The businessman would later resign from his position at a major Dubai ports company after the scandal.Epstein’s reach extended to Saudi Arabia, where he arranged a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman. That connection helped him secure not only business opportunities but also priceless religious items. Tapestries embroidered with Quranic verses were shipped from the Kaaba, while tiles came from a mosque in Uzbekistan. A golden dome on his island was crafted to echo ancient Syrian architecture. The Justice Department released millions of pages in January, exposing how Epstein used his art collection to reinforce ties with powerful figures. The documents show a pattern of leveraging cultural treasures for personal gain and influence. The case raises questions about the protection of religious artifacts and how private individuals can exploit sacred items for status. It also highlights the need for stricter oversight when cultural treasures cross borders.