The same thing happens with isolated incidents like the Canadian Muslim father killing his daughter for not wearing hijab---not for personal, but for RELIGIOUS reasons.  It is the REASON of killing that is illogical and weird, hence considered worth media feed. We all know that the act was heinous and never represented Islam in any way.  However, unfortunately, the hijaab is one of the OUTWARD symbols of Islam and hence it is considered by most Muslims and non-Muslims a part of Islam.  My personal views about hijab may be different--I think hijab has a lot to do with a particular culture, rather than the religion, but I do believe that the Ulema (scholars) of the world must speak out against this atrocious act of a so-called Muslim father; they should openly and clearly say "it has nothing to do with Islam" and that "the father must be punished to the fullest extent of the law".  Similarly, the "Ulema" should have condemned the recent Sudanese court decision regarding the British teacher as well--as they should have condemned widely and openly the Saudi courts’ illogical and unIslamic decision of delivering 200 lashes and prison term for a multiple rape victim.  But the fact of the matter is that they didn't.  Their silence sends a VERY WRONG message to the West--and that is that it is the religion of Islam that warrants these inhuman murders and court punishments to the victims rather than to the criminals. 

Thus, while it is true that only "a small minority" is involved in these despicable acts, yet it is the responsibility of the ‘innocent majority’ to speak out against these cases, condemning them in the harshest possible tone.  It is only that act of the majority that will make the West see the reality of Islamic teachings, or else we will keep saying "O' well, it is only a few criminals".  And the yet we know that the man wearing the white shirt---who represents our very own often-quoted 'majority'--will not sit complacent---he would get rid of the black dot.