You know the answer to this already, or you probably do. Islam is perceived by many as being a militant religion, and this perception comes easily, given the almost daily diet we get of news stories of death and destruction, assassination and blasphemy, mobs of the faithful chanting allah is great and threatening great reprisals on the non -believers.
And whilst any thinking person will know perfectly well that of course the actions of a few should not condemn the many, it is also a perception that for the extremists to thrive and commit the atrocities they do, they need the support of their community. This view holds true of all extremist groups. There is a feeling that the muslim community do not do enough to criticise the extreme views offered, do not do enough to counter the spread of extremism within their own community.
People are people everywhere, and many fear the unknown or the different, most especially if viewed as a threat. We even get calls for the implementation of Sharia Law within the UK - in fact, I am sure that in parts of the UK such laws are being followed right now, even if it is not formally recognised.We live in a democratic community, and all groups are entitled to lobby and represent their point of view, but the perception is that the muslim community wish to either impose their minority views on the majority, or that they wish to abide by a separate legal and justice code from the rest of us. Neither option is acceptable.
Then we have these crimes, viewed as specific to the muslim community, that have been exported to the UK and the west more generally- " honour" killings is a classic example.
So, whilst your main point, that the actions of a minority should not be used as a measure for the whole community, there are plenty of issues that need resolution.
Islam is a proselytising religion - It wishes to convert all to its view, to establish a Caliphate. Islam is seen as a fervent religion, which permeates and affects all aspects of daily life - a thought unpalatable to the majority in the West, I suspect. Islam breeds fanatics prepared to die to enforce their views on everyone, whilst the majority of the muslim community look on, silent in their lack of condemnation of such acts, and therefore seen as indirectly complicit in such actions.
If muslims ever hope to live side by side with non muslims, free from fear and mistrust, the religion needs to mature, and fast.
Blasphemy is a ridiculous notion, and to punish anyone from what amounts to thought crime is indefensible. Killing girls and women because of some imagined slight on honour needs to stop ( and i am talking about perceptions here- it may not be a crime endorsed by the religion, but it is seen as an issue particular to the muslim community)
Issuing fatwas, for writing satirical verses mocking your religion has to stop. Baying for blood over the burning of the koran needs to stop. Beheading kidnap victims needs to stop. Raising armies in places like Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Mali - all needs to to stop.Suicide bombs and flying hijacked plains into buildings needs to stop.
Persecution is ugly and horrible - but the litany of vile and violent crimes associated with Islam needs to be addressed by Muslims if they ever hope to be treated as equals, free from suspicion and loathing borne out of fear and loathing...................