(THE DAILY BEAST)
By Dean Obeidallah
“Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.” Leviticus 19:16
That Biblical passage is the guiding principle for the grassroots organization “Do Not Stand Idly By,” created in 2012 to counter gun violence. Sure, we’ve recently seen a host of new groups tackle this issue, but Do Not Stand Idly By (“DNSIB”) is different for two big reasons.
First, it’s a faith-based initiative spearheaded by Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders (although it welcomes people of other or no faiths.) Framing the argument of the need to reduce gun violence in religious terms will undoubtedly move many—possibly even some on the right.
Second, the focus of DNSIB is going to the source. No, I’m not talking the Book of Genesis. I mean the actual gun manufacturers. DNSIB’s mission is to convince gun makers to voluntarily (or by way of some friendly economic pressure) impose changes in its business practices that will hopefully save lives.
“Our focus is not to have an adversarial relationship but to find common ground with gun companies because they, too, want to see gun violence reduced,” explained Oussama Jammal, one of the Chicago-based leaders of the movement and a pillar of the area’s Muslim community.
