A Muslim imam who campaigns against radical Islam has been punched in the face in a random attack.

Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi, 34, was sitting in his car at Mawson Lake Shopping Centre carpark in Adelaide's north, about 12.45pm on Tuesday when he was approached by a stranger and punched in the jaw.

'He came towards my car and extended his hand so I rolled down the window and shook his hand, then straight away he hit me in my face,' Imam Tawhidi told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

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Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi, 34, was sitting in his car at Mawson Lake Shopping Centre carpark in Adelaide's north, about 12.45pm on Tuesday when he was approached by a stranger and punched in the jaw

Imam Tawhidi said the man, who was unknown to him, started to hurl insults and even threatened to kill him.

The Adelaide based Imam, who emigrated from Iraq when he was 12, said he sustained minor injuries to his jaw.

'I can hardly open my mouth, he punched my chin inwards,' he said.

Injuries aside, he said the random attack left him 'terrified'.

'I've just been attacked by radical Muslim afghan, punched my jaw,' Imam Tawhidi said to his Facebook followers on Tuesday

Soon after, Imam Tawhidi said his attacker saw him and started chasing him down the street, forcing him to take refuge in a secured library

After the attack, Imam Tawhidi fled from the scene.

Soon after, Imam Tawhidi said his attacker saw him and started chasing him down the street, forcing him to take refuge in a secured library.

Imam Tawhidi believed his attacker was an Afghani radical Muslim.

He believed the attack was inspired by religious differences.

South Australia Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia a report about an attack in the shopping centre carpark happened shortly after midday on Tuesday.

Imam Tawhidi posted a video on Tuesday afternoon showing his alleged attacker arrested by South Australia police officers.

Imam Tawhidi posted a video on Tuesday afternoon showing his alleged attacker arrested by South Australia police officers

In the video, a man dressed in a grey t-shirt and black pants is seen being handcuffed and led into the back of a police car

In the video, a man dressed in a grey t-shirt and black pants is seen being handcuffed and led into the back of a police car.

'This is the man that assaulted me,' Imam Tawhidi said as he filmed.

'This is what radical looks like, no beard, nothing, you can't even tell he's a radical.

'This man threatens to kill me.'

Imam Tawhidi has previously been targeted by hardline Muslims for condemning extremism and Sharia Law

Imam Tawhidi has previously been targeted by hardline Muslims for condemning extremism and Sharia Law.

He was forced into hiding in October when his home was targeted and his car emblazoned with the symbol for Islamic State militant symbol ISIS.

Imam Tawhidi told Daily Mail Australia his car windscreen was also smashed with a rock, the room damaged, chemicals poured into the engine, and the interior seats also scrawled with the letters ISIS.

'They're trying to silence me,' he said.

He was forced into hiding in October when his home was targeted and his car emblazoned with the symbol for Islamic State militant symbol ISIS

Imam Tawhidi told Daily Mail Australia his car windscreen was also smashed with a rock, the room damaged, chemicals poured into the engine, and the interior seats also scrawled with the letters ISIS

He said Australia descended into a haven for religious extremists.

'It's sad that Australia has become like this, it wasn't like this when we moved here,' he said.

Imam Tawhidi said radical Muslims were growing in numbers in Australia and should not be underestimated.

'They're very powerful, Australia has made them powerful,' he said.

While he feared for his life, Imam Tawhidi said the attack only 'makes me feel stronger'.

'It just shows the level of work we need to do to stop these guys,' he said.

'It shows you how Australia has changed, we never had this extremist violence five years ago.'