GALLUP PRESENTS...: Cartoons and Controversy: Free Expression or Muslim Exceptionalism in Europe?

Europe thinks it has found a cogent way to spur the debate over the integration of its Muslim communities. Under the banner of free speech, Europeans have turned to satire and other forms of print and visual criticism to test Muslims' willingness to accept Western values. But the re-printing of the Danish cartoons earlier this year, as well as the release of Fitna, a short film by a Dutch lawmaker about Islam as an inspiration to terror are inappropriate tests. Gallup asked residents of France, Germany and the UK if, under the protection of freedom of speech, certain expressions should be depicted and published in newspapers. Across all three countries, few (10% or less) among the general public believe that child pornography and racial slurs should be allowed under free speech. For Muslims, however, the depiction of the most venerated figure in Islam as a terrorist is insulting and akin to a racial slur.