By Blaire Molitor

A recent Fox News report attempts to convince readers that Muslim-themed products mimicing icons of American popular culture are a growing trend in the Islamic world, but the reporter, Catherine Donaldson-Evans, fails to consider one relevant opinion — that of the Muslims to whom these products are being sold.

In her story, Donaldson-Evans calls upon only two sources, neither of whom is identified as a likely consumer of the products (Mecca Cola; Beurger King Muslim halal hamburgers) the report decribes. Her first source, Professor Akbar Ahmed, the chair of Islamic Studies at American University, may very well have extensive knowledge regarding Muslim life. The wisdom he imparts in this particular piece, however, has little to do with Islam and instead is focused on American products and their potential market value in the Muslim world. It would have been more constructive, and in turn could have given the piece a more solid tone, to include be a number of Muslim voices and their no doubt varied opinions.

While the American media is finally beginning to treat Islam with respect, the continuation of the use of “experts,” as opposed to a spectrum of actual living Muslims continues to marginalize Muslims and their beliefs. In doing so, it deprives the American public of perspectives they would benefit from hearing.

Blaire Molitor is a student at the University of Southern California.