A GERMAN Islamic researcher at the University of Münster, who outraged Muslims a couple of years back when he suggested that Mohammed probably never existed, is back in the news as a result of renouncing Islam, to which he converted when he was 15.
Muhammad Sven Kalisch
When Muhammad Sven Kalisch, the first person in Germany to hold a Chair of Islamic Religion, said that the “prophet” Mohammed may not in fact have existed, Ali Kizilkaya , of the Co-ordination Council of Muslims (KRM), spluttered:
We are convinced that the Prophet did indeed exist and that the Koran is the word of God … if the Prophet never existed, then the Koran does not exist. And if the Koran does not exist, what is left?
This would mean that we would have to abolish the religion altogether. No, we do not believe that this is the case: we are convinced that the Prophet did indeed exist and that the Koran is the word of God.
The KRM, to which the four largest Muslim organisations in Germany belong, promptly withdrew its co-operation with the Centre for Religious Studies at the University, which became the first centre of its kind in Germany to offer teacher-training courses for teachers of the Islamic religion.
Speaking in a radio interview, Kalisch said that following extensive research and study, he had come to, what was for a Muslim, a particularly controversial conclusion, namely that the “prophet” may not in fact have been a historical person.
Ali Kizilkaya: horrified at the suggestion that Mohammed is a fictional character
The results were such that it is my conviction that it cannot be proven whether Mohammed actually lived or not. I believe that there is no definite answer to this question, although I must admit that I tend more towards the view that he did not exist. However, one must be able to say so and one must be able to have an academic debate about it.
Today we learn from this report that Kalisch has ditched the Religion of Peace, but the university did not disclose why Kalisch had done so.
A spokesman for the university said:
From the perspective of the university, this will not carry consequences.
He added that it was not crucial for a professor of Islam to be a Muslim.
The university would not confirm whether Kalisch intended to stay in his post.
HAT TIP: Alan
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
April 21st, 2010 at 6:06 pm
“…we would have to abolish the religion altogether.”
Unthinkable! What a terrible tragedy that would be for peace, reason and the human race in general.
April 21st, 2010 at 6:19 pm
This is free speech. If the cards fall against muslim opinions: tough. If they fall against my atheist views: tough. The difference being I am happy to be corrected and often I am. To a fundie a correction is impossible. They know it all already.
Something I particularly enjoy is the spread of secular and anti muslim opinions. The more, the better. Then it becomes usual, unexceptional, normal.
April 21st, 2010 at 6:22 pm
well jesus never existed and the bible is still here. what Ali Kizilkaya is a muppet
April 21st, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Two-thirds of biblical scholars (a term that does not include theologians) are convinced that the evidence for a historical Jesus, as an insignificant preacher whom Paul of Tarsus capriciously chose to be the figurehead of his gentile religion, outweighs the contrary evidence. And those scholars who believe there was never a historical Jesus are not dogmatic about it. Robert Price and G. A. Wells switched from a “no such person” to a “there was a Jesus” position after taking a closer look at the evidence (such as it is).
The conclusion that Mohammad was not a real person is not unique, but even among non-rugbutting scholars only a tiny minority support it. Ibn Warraq has raised such a possibility, but does not suggest that a preponderance of the evidence points in that direction.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:33 pm
WHAT!?! You mean the person who is described as so perfect that you couldn’t possibly depict him didn’t exist?? How could that be? It sounds so reasonable and not at all like the kind of bullshit someone would make up when pressed about fanatical following of a man they’ve never met and know nothing about.
April 21st, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Just because they really existed doesn’t mean that they were as depicted, JT!
April 21st, 2010 at 8:29 pm
This poor chap will have a fatwa on his head for trying to mix blind faith with academic debate but as I say, you aint no one until you’ve had your first fatwa.
“if the Prophet never existed, then the Koran does not exist. And if the Koran does not exist, what is left?”
What indeed…
April 21st, 2010 at 8:48 pm
What’s left? A life. Go get one.
April 21st, 2010 at 11:10 pm
It’s somewhat amusing to watch the debate. The underlying problem is that in antiquity, most persons were illiterate. Those who could read and write were educated by the clergy. The existence of the city of Troy was long disputed because Homer, the poet, wrote in all the drama about the struggles between the gods. But, now we know, not only that it did exist, but also exactly where it was.
Plato’s Atlantis, long thought a myth, with it’s round tiered harbor and advanced civilization. There is strong evidence to suggest it was the Island of Santorini, and the advanced civilization that died in it’s sudden destruction were the Minoans. Not only did that civilization cease, but on the same timeline, the eruption of Santorini explain all the mythical plagues of Egypt that supposedly freed the Hebrews.
I don’t envy the job of archaeologists to try to sift the truth from the bullshit propaganda, but it’s all they have to work with. The only literates were religious.
NeoWolfe
April 21st, 2010 at 11:42 pm
You got to love that religious logic.
If there was no prophet then the Koran isn’t the word of God and our religion is false.
I don’t want to believe that my religion is false, therefore Mohammed really existed.
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:30 am
Muzzies internationally can’t ignore this. The apostate must die I’m afraid.
Watch for some some backward (but at least I suppose honest) mohammedan call for it. I wonder which failed state the squeal will arise from?
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:30 am
Too bad that no real, convincing proof of the non-existence of god(s) exists. What a relief it would bring to millions of people finally being able to make their decisions without worrying about the boogyman. As for those who couldn’t handle it: there’s always suicide.
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
That guy just joined Trey Parker and Matt Stone on the list
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
The guy is a serious researcher but writes in German. He’s working on a book in English, to get a wider readership. Let’s hope he survives long enough to see it published. Meanwhile, there’s a translated extract from his paper here http://online.wsj.com/article/.....14211.html – with a link to the full paper in German. I’ve tried to get Google to translate it but the result is a nightmare.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:49 pm
A somewhat less nightmarish translation of a German news article can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2829zbe
April 27th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion in the world with 4 out of every 5 converts to Islam being women. The rate of converts to Islam tripled after 9-11. Non muslims i advice you to do your own reaserch on Islam, be objective and holistic and read the primary sources of Islam (i.e The Quran and the Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of God be upon him). Dont let the media educate you, use your intellect and ultimatedly – be fair.