Why does France spark such anger in the Muslim world?

Muslim activists from various organisations participate in a protest against France, near the French Consulate in Kolkata, India (Bikas Das/AP)

Many countries, especially in the democratic West, champion freedom of expression and allow publications that lampoon Islam’s prophet.

So why is France singled out for protests and calls for boycotts across the Muslim world, and so often the target of deadly violence from extremists?