Muslim residents of urban slums slated for demolition appealed to authorities today to defer action on squatter shanties in Quezon City until after the holy month of Ramadan.

An estimated 7,000 Muslim and Christian families would be affected by the demolition, said Bobby Dicatanongan, president of the United Muslim Association.

He said the August 31 deadline for the demolition gives the people no time to prepare.

“We ask [the authorities] to respect Ramadan as Muslims observe this holy tradition,” he said.

Ramadan ends on August 30, a national holiday in the country.

Authorities in Quezon City previously announced plans to demolish the slums to give way to the building of the city’s Central Business District.

Residents have fought  the demolition plan for more than a decade, with residents opposing previous demolitions in the area.

City administrator Victor Endriga said authorities “expect [an] uprising from 2,000 families” affected by the demolition. He said only 7,000 families qualified for a government housing relocation program in areas outside of Metro Manila.

The Militant Center of the Filipino Urban Poor estimated that some 24,000 families from seven communities will be transferred to government relocation sites if the Quezon City project is implemented.

“On our part, we declare a total war against the impending demolition together with Christian groups,” said Dicatanongan. “It is our obligation to Allah to defend our holy mosque and the homes of our brothers in faith,” he added.

Estrelieta Bagasbas, a community leader, said a barricade to thwart any attempt to demolish their homes has already been prepared. “We are on high alert,” she said.