Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, meticulously built a collection of rare Islamic artifacts, including tapestries embroidered with Quranic verses from the Kaaba in Mecca and tiles from a mosque in Uzbekistan. His efforts were not solely for art; they were part of a broader strategy to enhance his connections with wealthy and powerful individuals, particularly in the Middle East. Epstein's ties to the Saudi royal family, including a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscore the depth of his networking. A notable photograph from 2014 shows Epstein with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a prominent Emirati executive, admiring one of the tapestries in Epstein's New York townhouse. This connection ultimately led to Sulayem's resignation from DP World, a Dubai ports company, highlighting the fallout from association with Epstein. The release of millions of pages of records by the Justice Department in January has further illuminated Epstein's dual pursuits of art and influence.