A 62-year-old French Jew was stabbed by a man shouting ‘’Allahu Akbar’’ in a broad daylight attack in the French eastern city of Strasbourg.

The stabbing took place in the Jewish quarter of the city, near the Great Synagogue. The victim does not have serious injuries and was reported to be in a stable condition in hospital.

The attacker was restrained by a witness before being arrested by police.

Local daily newspaper Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace said several witnesses heard the man shout Allahu Akbar when carrying out the attack.

René Gutman, the chief rabbi of Strasbourg, said the victim was attacked outside his home which is located in the city's Jewish quarter. He added that the injuries are not life-threatening.

The Chief Rabbi also said the 40-year-old suspect had previously attacked a member of the local Jewish community in 2010.

Condemning the attack, he said it “in no way reflects the prevailing climate in Strasbourg,” which has a large Jewish community.

The local prosecutor's office confirmed the arrest and said an investigation had been launched.

About 10,000 Jews live in Strasbourg.