Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, once housed a building he described as a mosque and decorated with tapestries from the Kaaba. The House Oversight Committee released photos showing the blue‑and‑white structure topped with a golden dome, underscoring his fascination with Islamic art.

Epstein leveraged ties to Saudi Arabia’s royal court to secure the tapestries. Through intermediaries, he obtained three pieces originally used inside the Kaaba, each valued at about $5 million. The artifacts were shipped via a Saudi consulate, illustrating a covert procurement chain.

Business connections also played a role. In 2011, Epstein hired Romanian artist Ion Nicola to design the mosque’s interior, replacing Arabic inscriptions with his initials. His contacts, including Emirati executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, later faced pressure after their association with Epstein.

The revelations expose how Epstein blended personal obsession with high‑profile networking, turning a private island project into a costly, politically sensitive art acquisition. The case highlights the risks elite networks pose to cultural heritage and international business relationships.