NYT: Epstein acquired items from Islam’s holiest site for island "mosque" PHOTO

Jeffrey Epstein acquired religious artefacts from Islam’s holiest site for a building he referred to as a “mosque” on his private Caribbean island, according to newly released correspondence and documents.

The materials, detailed in records published by the US House Oversight Committee and the Department of Justice, include tapestries reportedly taken from the Kaaba in Mecca, alongside tiles sourced from Uzbekistan and architectural features intended to replicate historic Islamic design, The New York Times reports.

Through ties reaching into the Saudi royal court, Epstein arranged a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, now the crown prince, and acquired ornate tapestries that had previously been used within the Kaaba’s inner sanctum and on its exterior covering.

Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, described the blue-and-white striped structure on Little Saint James as a “mosque” in emails and conversations with associates. The building has also been variously referred to as a pavilion, music room and chapel, and its intended function remains unclear.

The documents suggest Epstein pursued Islamic art and architecture as part of a broader pattern of cultivating international contacts across business, political and cultural spheres. He reportedly sought assistance from intermediaries connected to Gulf officials and received shipments of embroidered textiles, including coverings said to have been used in the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred site.

One assistant’s correspondence referenced the arrival of “three pieces from the Kaaba” intended for the island structure. Another description highlighted the religious significance of the textiles, which are traditionally produced in Mecca and distributed after the annual replacement of the Kaaba covering.

Epstein also worked with architects and artists to develop designs inspired by Middle Eastern bathhouses and religious buildings, including requests for decorative calligraphy and ornamental features. In one exchange, he suggested replacing Arabic inscriptions with stylised English initials.

The records further show Epstein maintained contacts with figures in diplomacy and business across the Middle East, including discussions related to investment opportunities and political developments in Saudi Arabia.

The disclosures add detail to Epstein’s private island compound, which has already been the subject of extensive scrutiny following his arrest and subsequent death.

By Aghakazim Guliyev