Police have launched a murder investigation after a retired Muslim pensioner who was beaten unconscious in front of his three-year-old granddaughter in a racist attack died of his injuries.

Former care worker Ekram Haque, 67, died today in hospital, a week after a group of youths beat him as he waited for a lift outside a mosque.

Mr Haque had been on a ventilator since the attack, and, despite doctors telling the family there was nothing more they could do, relatives’ hoped for a miracle.

Police said Mr Haque’s killers were black, wore hooded tops. They confirmed they were treating the attack as racially motivated and linked the murder to another attack on elderly Asians.

One police source described the attack on Mr Haque as “totally gratuitous violence for no reason, complete thuggery”.

Mr Haque’s son Arfan, speaking before his dad’s death, said he “understood” frustrations in the Muslim community but appealed for Asian teenagers not seek revenge.

"I want everyone to respect their religion. The Koran doesn’t condone revenge attacks, it is in the hands of the police now," he said. "If you want to do anything for my family just pray for him."

He added his daughter, Miriam, was “very shaken”. He said. “She has given a vivid account of what happened."

Mr Haque was attacked, on bank holiday Monday, about 9.50pm outside the Idara-e-Jafferiya mosque in Church Lane, Tooting. Two other men were also assaulted.

The incident was captured on CCTV but police have appealed for a young boy on a bike and group of young women - who were white, black and mixed race - who were in the area at the time, to come forward.

Mr Haque had planned to take his granddaughter on holiday to Pakistan and Australia, his son said, and was devoted to his community.

Mr Haque was born in Calcutta and moved to Belfast, where he met his son's mother, in 1972.

The couple moved with their young son to London in the early 80s. He was working as a warden in a care home for elderly Asians, until November when he retired.

Despite being upset about retiring he was enjoying looking after his granddaughter, his son said.

Anyone with information should contact police on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• Two teenagers aged 14 and 15 have appeared in court charged with committing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent on Mr Haque. The pair and another boy, aged 12, are also charged with conspiracy to commit GBH and two counts of assault on victims in their 40s and 70s. Another 14-year-old has been charged over the attacks, but has yet to appear in court.