Dr. Nader Hashemi:

There is a third choice, which is the choice the international community did not pursue and that has lead to where we are today, namely, to support the peaceful non-violent protesters who began this conflict, to support today the moderate Syrian rebels whom I think provide an alternative to President Assad and an alternative to ISIS. That is the third option that has not been pursued. We have to start from the drawing board again because they have been decimated. They are the weakest party to this conflict. This third option can be pursued and should be pursued. The only way we will get a stable future in Syria is by supporting those people who are committed to basic principles of human rights and democracy.

That is the third issue.

I must disagree with the earlier comments on religion and Islam. It is absolutely wrong to state there has been no condemnation of ISIS by Muslims. I challenge the Senator to find any mainstream or even marginal Muslim group which supports ISIS. I am asked this question all the time. On my website I have a list of every major Muslim organisation which I know has issued a condemnation of ISIS. Not only that, but more than 300 leading Muslim scholars have issued a public document pointing out how the ISIS interpretation of Islam is a violation of mainstream interpretations of Islam. There has been broad condemnation and I will be happy to share the document with the Senator if it will help.

One cannot compare the predictable consequences of Qatari foreign policy and the type of Islam coming from Qatar with that of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been producing, promoting and disseminating a very intolerant and puritanical interpretation of Islam for at least 50 years. The reach of Saudi oil money and the scholarships given to students from around the Islamic world to come to Saudi Arabia to internalise a particular intolerant interpretation and return to their own communities to spread it has been a long-standing story. It has been well documented and is partly responsible for producing this intolerant interpretation of Islam which has now manifested itself in ISIS. The challenge is to try to promote and support those interpretations of Islam which are more inclusive and tolerant.

As committee members know from this country's experience, religion can be interpreted in many ways, in exclusive, intolerant and backward ways but also the converse, with tolerant, ecumenical and inclusive interpretations. Ireland and the rest of the international community have a deep interest in trying to support those forces and voices which promote the latter interpretation of Islam. One will not get away from the question of religion. The Islamic world is deeply religious and we have an interest in promoting more tolerant and inclusive interpretations of Islam. I wish there were many expressions, but they just do not receive the same type of financial backing with oil money as this ultra-conservative interpretation of Islam.