silex6,
As a non-Muslim, living in a Muslim society, made me understand the negative reactions observed a bit all over Europe.
Sorry to say this, and I only found out by living here in Qatar, their culture/religion, by nature is quite invasive and does not respect individuality, exercising aggressive pressure to impose their philosophies on others.
This doesn't go right in any part of the world, imagine in Europe?!

As for the minarets' decision is the result of fear, which helps at the same time to preserve the swiss identity!