Mouhanad Khorchide to become successor for the chair of Islamic religious education in Münster
Austrian-Lebanese Mouhanad Khorchide is top short-listed candidate for the chair of Islamic religious education at the University of Münster in Germany. Khorchide, who studied sociology and Islamic studies and taught religious education in Austria, caused a heated debate with the publication of this PhD thesis in 2009. One of the results of his thesis on Islamic religious education in Austria was that one fifth of Muslim religious teachers in Austria are radical in that they reject the compatibility of Islam and democracy. Politicians demanded stricter guidelines and some Muslims accused him of defamation.
The chair in Münster is the only one for Islamic religious education in Germany and has its own special history. Predecessor Sven Muhammad Kalisch has stirred controversies by doubting the existence of the Prophet Mohammed. Islamic associations vehemently criticized Kalisch and despite significant public support he had to step back from the chair in 2008. The reoccupation is to take place soon, but depends on the approval of the Islamic associations.