Ignorance of the way the West works in many Muslim countries makes rabble-rousing easy.

ECONOMIST: Mischief, not madness, often underlies Muslim anger

In 2006, riots erupted in many Muslim countries over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper.

BBC: Prophet bride book appears in US

On the other hand, in many Muslim countries state oversight is seen as desirable for the opposite reason: to restrain, or at least channel, the zeal of a fervently religious public.

ECONOMIST: An often vexed relationship

Democratic progress is found in many predominantly Muslim countries.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations

And in Islamic countries Mormons face at least as many obstacles as other non-Muslim believers do.

ECONOMIST: The Mormon faith is spreading. But is it a world religion?

Many protesters directed their ire at Denmark, prompting the closure of several Danish embassies in predominantly Muslim countries, including Indonesia and Pakistan.

CNN: 'Terror plot' to kill Mohammed cartoonist