Due to his statements regarding Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Holy Quran, the Scientific Research Ministry in the state of Northern Rhine-Westphalia in Germany removed orientalist Sven Kalisch from duty. Kalish recently stated that there was no historical proof that Muhammad (pbuh) had really lived and that it was doubtful that the Quran was the word of Allah. Upon reaction, the Ministry announced that it had removed Kalisch from his duty at the directorate of the Münster Religious Research Center (CRS).

In a statement Kalisch made to the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, he had said that there was no historical evidence that Muhammad (pbuh) really lived or that the Quran was really the word of Allah..

Forty-two year-old Kalisch said that he had prepared a book explaining how the current form of the Quran is different from its previous form and that it will be published in the near future.

Kalisch's views not only created a reaction among the Muslim minority, but the debate also spread to German academic circles. Researchers participating in the Quran Research Project at the Berlin-Branderburg Scientific Academy made a statement rejecting the comments that raised doubt about the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

On the other hand, prominent German Orientalist Tillman Nagel stated that research based on scientific and sound data proves that Muhammad really lived.
Indicating that the debate Kalisch put forth regarding the Quran and Muhammad (pbuh) had existed for thirty years in orientalist research, Nagel said, "Muslims should respond to these issues in a scientific way that is based on the Quran and that reflects the views of contemporary Muslim scholars."

Dr. Eyup Guler, President of the Muslim High Commission in Germany, commented that Kalisch's ideas were constructed on a theory that was impossible for Muslims to accept in any form.

Guler stated that Muslim organizations in the country were not trying to silence Kalisch and that they had expressed their respect for scientific research and freedom of speech many times, but that a person who does not accept the essence of religions could not have the right to teach Muslim students.

Indicating that they have received complaints on this subject for some time from students at the Institute which trains Islamic religion teachers, Guler emphasized that these students had come from time to time and expressed their uneasiness with the way Kalisch explained religion.

Abdullah Efe Faci, President of the Ahmediye Congregation in Germany, said that these statements of Kalisch could be based on efforts to become famous.