SHEIK Taj Din al-Hilali will not resign as mufti of Australia, his daughter insisted yesterday. “None of this will shake him. He is strong, he is coping.”

Speaking outside the Sydney hospital where her father was being treated after collapsing with chest pains on Monday, Asma al-Hilali said it was a mistake for anyone to think the sheik would be driven from office by the controversy raging over his comments about women.

She said her father had been buoyed by support from many in the Muslim community, and if anyone thought he would quit, “they don’t know my dad. He won’t resign”.

Ms Hilali spoke as floral tributes were placed outside Canterbury Hospital’s emergency department and followers gathered to voice their support. One large placard read, “We Wish U All The Best, Get Well Mufti”.

One group of young men who delivered more than 50 bunches of flowers to the hospital shouted at the waiting media: “At least our priest is not a child molester.”

The founding president of the Muslim Women’s Association, Aziz El Saddik, said the sheik had always been a great supporter of women and a great supporter of Australia.

“Those who say bad things about him, they have very bad manners to say what they say,” she said. “He was very, very good to all Muslim women.”

She said the comments about uncovered women encouraging rape were meant for Muslim women and not for the broader Australian community.

One young Muslim woman who brought flowers to the hospital, Gaysa Fakhari, said Sheik Hilali’s comments had been misinterpreted. “Of course he should stay in the job.”

Community spokesman Keysar Trad said the mufti had been heartened by messages of support from across Australia.

“More and more they are starting to understand he has been misunderstood and he is a great Australian,” Mr Trad said.

“He is very appreciative of all the prayers and good wishes.”

Tom Zreika, president of the Lebanese Muslim Association which controls the Lakemba Mosque where Sheik Hilali preaches, said the association had accepted his request for indefinite leave from his duties.

He said the mufti had not resigned and no new mufti would be appointed until Sheik Hilali stepped down voluntarily.

Mr Zreika criticised comments by state and federal politicians as unhelpful, and said Islamic issues should be left to the Muslim community. He said Sheik Hilali was “doing well” but remained under observation.