Very few studies explicitly, let alone quantitatively, examine gaps in religious intolerance among individual Muslims based on affiliation with major Muslim organizations in Indonesia. Most... Show moreVery few studies explicitly, let alone quantitatively, examine gaps in religious intolerance among individual Muslims based on affiliation with major Muslim organizations in Indonesia. Most existing studies either focus on a single organization (non-comparative), are at the organizational policy level (not examining individual attitudes), or use a limited number of samples in their analysis. Against this backdrop, this study compares Indonesian Muslims’ levels of religious intolerance based on their affiliation with Muslim organizations or traditions: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, and other organizations. We utilize a large-scale household survey, the 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey-5, and run an ordinal logistic regression to identify organizations’ rank on the religious intolerance scale. We find that Muslims without any affiliation with a Muslim organization (some 18 percent of Indonesian Muslims) are the most tolerant. Against this reference group, we find that NU followers are generally the most tolerant, followed by those affiliated with Muhammadiyah, and those affiliated with other Muslim organizations. This finding adds a stock of knowledge to our understanding of religion and society, especially regarding interfaith relations in Indonesia and in the Muslim world in general. Methodologically, this study also shows the benefit and feasibility of identifying the dynamic of religious intolerance using a quantitative approach at a micro level. Show less
Background. Eosinophils are a prominent cell type in the host response to helminths, and some evidence suggests that neutrophils might also play a role. However, little is known about the... Show moreBackground. Eosinophils are a prominent cell type in the host response to helminths, and some evidence suggests that neutrophils might also play a role. However, little is known about the activation status of these granulocytes during helminth infection.Methods. We analyzed the expression of eosinophil and neutrophil activation markers in peripheral blood by flow cytometry and measured serum levels of eosinophil granule proteins in 300 subjects residing in an area endemic for soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The data generated are on samples before and after 1 year of 3-monthly albendazole treatment.Results. Anthelmintic treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of STH. While eosinophil numbers were significantly higher in STH-infected compared to uninfected subjects and significantly decreased following albendazole treatment, there was no effect exerted by the helminths on either eosinophil nor neutrophil activation. Although at baseline eosinophil granule protein levels were not different between STH-infected and uninfected subjects, treatment significantly reduced the levels of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) in those infected at baseline.Conclusions. These results show that besides decreasing eosinophil numbers, anthelmintic treatment does not significantly change the activation status of eosinophils, nor of neutrophils, and the only effect seen was a reduction in circulating levels of EDN. Show less
This project discusses critical voices that have challenged the dominant colonial narrative in the context of the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia. The project combines journalistic and academic writing... Show moreThis project discusses critical voices that have challenged the dominant colonial narrative in the context of the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia. The project combines journalistic and academic writing with musical performance and film making to amplify these voices and to analyse why they have long been ignored in the public and academic debate. Show less
Ruiter, K. de; Tahapary, D.L.; Wammes, L.J.; Wiria, A.E.; Hamid, F.; Lieshout, L. van; ... ; Yazdanbakhsh, M. 2017
