The father of an Egyptian student who died after being attacked by a gang of girls has called for justice at a vigil in memory of his daughter.

Mariam Moustafa, 18, of St Ann's, London, died last week after spending three weeks in a coma following the brutal attack outside a shopping centre in Nottingham on February 20.

Last night around 200 people attended the vigil to show support and solidarity with the family of the engineering student.

The last photo of Mariam Moustafa, (left) an engineering student, two weeks before she was left in a coma (right) after she was jumped by a group of female yobs. She died from her injuries on Wednesday

Mariam's father Mohamed (pictured) said he was 'very happy' to see a large crowd gather in the market square to hold a vigil for his daughter. Mr Moustafa, 50, told the crowd: 'Thank you to everyone who has come for my daughter, I really appreciate it. Many friends from many countries have come here for her. We need justice'

Mariam's father Mohamed said he was 'very happy' to see a large crowd gather in the market square to remember his daughter.

Mr Moustafa, 50, told the crowd: 'Thank you to everyone who has come for my daughter, I really appreciate it. Many friends from many countries have come here for her. We need justice.'

The victim's family originally said they believed the attack was a race hate crime after the Egyptian-born teenager was targeted by the same group of girls the previous month.

But Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin said yesterday that all of the 'evidence indicates that this incident is not in any way hate related'.

Last night around 200 people attended the vigil to show support and solidarity with the family

The engineering student's sister Malak, 16, later claimed Mariam may have been confused with a similar looking girl who had been taunting the gang online.

Police have confirmed that a group of six girls were involved in the attack. The victim was allegedly punched several times and dragged by the female yobs before the assault continued - which was filmed by onlookers - after she boarded a bus.

Mariam was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham then transferred to the City Hospital where she was treated until her death.

The speakers at the emotional event included her sister, a former teacher of Mariam's and an Egyptian Coptic priest who called for answers in to her death and an end to violence.

Mr Moustafa told the Nottingham Post: 'I am very happy because all these people have come for Mariam, for justice and to make everyone safe.

The speakers at the emotional event included her sister, a former teacher of Mariam's and an Egyptian Coptic priest who called for answers in to her death and an end to violence

'Many people have come, not just British but from all the countries, this is one strong message. We are all brothers and sisters in this country.'

At points the crowd chanted 'justice for Mariam', stood silent or simply repeated her name.

At the front was a banner with images of the Nottingham College engineering student in her hospital bed and the message 'justice for Mariam'.

Cathryn De Max, a 54-year-old local government official from Woodthorpe, said: 'I came to show support for the family after such a horrendous thing.

'I am very tearful myself, we need to stand together and show solidarity with the family. This is not the Nottingham that we know and love.'

Delma Moreno, 25, of Bulwell, a waitress and mother-of-one, said: 'I have got a daughter myself, I feel the pain that her mum is feeling right now. She did not deserve to die the way she did. I feel like I am going to cry.'

Adnan Abdi, a 43-year-old butcher, of Sneinton, a family friend since helping Mariam's dad Mohamed Moustafa to settle in to the country, also attended.

He said: 'We are here to say 'stop the violence'. It is amazing how many people have come today, it is very encouraging when you make a call and a lot of people answer.'

The event was organised by Yousuf Farooq, a 17-year-old pupil at Nottingham College and the secretary of Nottingham Stand Up To Racism.

The teenager (pictured) had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was assaulted

He said: 'This is a time for people to come together from all ages, races and creeds and show that at times of violence and grieving Nottingham will come together.

'We are shocked and saddened as a city but we want to be together. It has warmed my heart to see so many people stand together.'

The case has sparked a diplomatic row in Egypt and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has already stepped in to reassure the nation the matter is being investigated thoroughly.

Egyptian authorities and her family have expressed concern about the police investigation and the care she received.

Mariam (right) with her mother Nessrin Shehata. Her sister Malak, 16, claimed Mariam may have been confused with a similar looking girl who had been taunting the gang online

Nottingham-based student Mariam was born in Rome, where her family had moved to from Egypt in 1991.

Nottinghamshire Police have said a decision on whether the incident would be investigated as a crime more serious than that of assault would be made following the outcome of a post-mortem examination, which took place on Friday.

The force has now revealed that the outcome of the post-mortem was inconclusive and that more tests will be carried out.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, but she has since been released on conditional bail