Question

Which community in Northern Ireland wanted to remain in the UK?
A. Catholics
B. Protestants
C. Muslims
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Northern Ireland constitutes people of two main religions- The Catholics and the Protestants. The country faced a violent sectarian conflict called ‘The Troubles’ between 1968-1998. It was a conflict between those who wanted Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland, in contrast, to those who wanted to remain with the United Kingdom.

Complete step by step answer:
1. Catholics: In Northern Ireland, 44% of the population is Roman Catholic. They were represented by the Nationalist parties and wanted the Catholic Republic of Ireland. The Catholics have their own set of religious beliefs and practices. They wished for the unification of Ireland.
2. Protestants: They constitute 53% of the population. They were given support by the Unionists and desired to remain with the UK. They are also known as Ulster Protestants. The Protestant religious practices and beliefs are completely different from Catholics. They felt more inclined culturally and historically towards the union of England.
3. Muslims: Islam is one of the many religions in Northern Ireland. The major ethnic conflict is between the Catholics and the Protestants, but immigrant Muslims have often found themselves in the middle of the conflict, bearing the violence from the conflict.
So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: The ethnoreligious and ethnonationalism conflict ended in 1998 when the UK Governments and the Nationalists signed a treaty. Now, Northern Ireland forms a part of the United Kingdom. It is also referred to as Ulster. The Republic of Ireland is a different country with a Catholic majority and outside of the union of the United Kingdom, while Northern Ireland is a protestant population under the union of the United Kingdom.