A Victorian Muslim religious leader was punched in the face after he and his wife were allegedly forced from their car on a Melbourne freeway in what police allege was a racially motivated attack.

Police allege the pair were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Melbourne’s south-east at 7.40pm on Saturday when they were “racially abused” by three occupants of a small black hatchback.

Police alleged the occupants of the car hurled objects, drove dangerously to intimidate the couple and got out of their car to assault the imam and threaten his wife after forcing them into a service station.

The Australian National Imams Council condemned it as a “cowardly attack”.

The council said the alleged victim, a 47-year-old Noble Park man, was recovering after being punched in the face during the incident.

“The psychological trauma suffered by the victims is severe. No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their faith, appearance, or identity.”

Members of the public intervened before the alleged offenders returned to their vehicle and fled, police alleged.

The trio were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday.

A 23-year-old Cranbourne North man and 22-year-old Cranbourne East man have been charged with criminal damage and common law assault.

The Cranbourne North man was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong magistrates court on Monday.

The Cranbourne East man was bailed to appear at the same court on 22 May.

An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman was released pending summons.

“There is absolutely no place for prejudice-motivated, religious based or hate-based behaviour in our society and such activity will not be tolerated,” Victorian police said in a statement on Monday.