Newly released files include emails detailing a shipment of sacred cloth from the Kaaba in Mecca to the United States, arranged through contacts linked to the United Arab Emirates and delivered to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The correspondence, dated February and March 2017, shows Emirati businesswoman Aziza al-Ahmadi working with a man named Abdullah al-Maari to organise the shipment of three pieces connected to the Kiswa – the black, gold-embroidered cloth that covers the Kaaba at the centre of Islam’s holiest site in Saudi Arabia.
The Kiswa carries deep religious meaning for Muslims worldwide. Each year, the cloth is removed from the shrine and replaced with a new one, with parts of the previous Kiswa treated as highly valuable artefacts.
Emails in the files show the items shipped by air freight from Saudi Arabia to Florida via British Airways, with coordination spanning invoices, customs arrangements and delivery inside the United States.
The messages describe three separate pieces: one from inside the Kaaba, one from the outer covering that was used, and a third made from the same materials but not used. The correspondence describes the unused piece as a way to classify the shipment under “artworks”.
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The shipment arrived at Epstein’s home in March 2017, long after he had served jail time and registered as a sex offender.
In one email, Ahmadi underscored the cloth’s religious significance while addressing Epstein directly: “The black piece was touched by minimum 10 million Muslims of different denominations, Sunni, Shia and others.”
“They walk around the Kaaba seven rounds then every one tries as much as they can to touch it and they kept their prayers, wishes, tears and hopes on this piece. Hoping after that all their prayers to be accepted,” she added.
The correspondence does not explain how Ahmadi came to know Epstein or why the pieces were sent to him.
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In another set of emails, Ahmadi checks on Epstein after Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean in September 2017, as his private island suffered heavy damage.
Over several days, Ahmadi repeatedly contacted Epstein’s secretary to ask about his wellbeing on the island.
“Everyone is safe and that is most important…some structures are gone…trees gone….dock pavilions gone… roads impassable….other outside damage, but inside ok….it’s a mess but can all be rebuilt! thanks for checking,” the secretary wrote. Ahmadi replied: “Promise to send new tent ;)”.
The emails do not show whether Ahmadi ever visited Epstein’s island or understood the full scope of what took place there.
Little Saint James, as the island is known, was used as a base of operations for Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation.
In another message, Epstein’s long-time assistant, Lesley Groff, sent Ahmadi a DNA testing kit. It’s unclear for what.
Epstein rarely communicated with Ahmadi directly in the correspondence. In one email, she asked Groff: “Can I pass by Jeffrey’s house today before I leave NYC. To say Bye and Happy birthday . I need just 15 min.”
Separately, an FBI memo released on Friday evening said Epstein worked with US and Israeli intelligence.
“Epstein was close to the former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, and trained as a spy under him,” the memo said.
