France assumed Muslim fanaticism stemmed from ignorance and so built schools and hospitals

Evidence

For example, with the lnstitut d’Egypte specifically in mind, the French chose to organize a commission in 1837 to “research and collect any information regarding the arts and the sciences” in Algeria. In addition, the government, at least initially, proceeded on the same assumption as Napoleon, that Muslim “fanaticism” was merely the result of ignorance and despotic rule. It followed that an important part of civilizing Algerians was offering them knowledge. This the July Monarchy promptly did, not through an institut staffed by savants, but rather through schools and hospitals. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 78