The minaret, derived from the Arabic word manāra (lighthouse) منارة , is a distinctive architectural feature of the mosque. Minarets are generally tall spires with conical crowns, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. Minarets may be conical, square, cylindrical, or polygonal. The world's tallest minaret, at 210 meters (689ft.) is located at the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. The world's tallest brick minaret is Qutub Minar located in Delhi, India.

The main function of the minaret is to provide a vantage point from which the call to prayer (Adhan) is made. This explains why it is usually referred to the minaret as Mi’zana ‫ مئذنةThe call to prayer is issued five times each day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. In all contemporary mosques, the Adhan is called from inside the mosque via Microphone to a speaker system on the minaret. In some mosques the Minaret functions as air conditioning mechanism: as the sun heats the dome, air is drawn in through open windows then up and out of the minaret, thereby providing natural ventilation. In some old mosques such as great mosque of Damascus, minarets originally served as illuminated watchtowers. Nevertheless, currently Muslims perceive it as a visible component of the structure of the mosques. Seeing the minaret makes Muslims feel that they are in their comfort zone. It makes them feel at home. For many Muslims living in the West, the minaret treats their homesickness.

The Swiss confederation, traditionally dated to 01st of Aug 1291, is a Federal republic consisting of 26 cantons. The country is situated in central Europe where it is bordered by Germany to North, France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. The Swiss confederation has a long History of neutrality. It has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815 and was one of the last countries to join the United Nations. Switzerland comprises three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian. The Swiss population is made of approximately 7.8 million people.

The number of Muslims in Switzerland was limited until 1970s as they recorded 16.300 according to the Official Demographic Studies. Since then the number of Muslims has been rapidly increasing scoring 56.000 Muslims in 1980 and 400.000 in 2010. Muslims in Switzerland come from a wide range of backgrounds: 56.4% come from past Yugoslavia 21 % Turks and 6% from North Africa and the Middle East. The Swiss, both naturalized and indigenous, constitute 12%. Efforts have been exerted to form federation e.g Foederation Islamischer Dachorganisationen in der Schweiz, yet none proved to be successful in uniting Muslims. Muslim local organizations located in deferent cantons of Switzerland e.g. Geneva, Vaud and Zurich achieved a limited

success in this regard.

On the 8th of July 2009 a group of citizens submitted an initiative to the Swiss Government demanding the minaret ban. Their demand was supported by 114.895 signatures. Although most of the political parties, Churches and religious communities rejected this initiative on the basis of their belief in freedom of religion, the ban has been passed. The Swiss government does not perceive the ban as a breach to the international law or citizenship rights. What is really surprising is the fact that there are only four minarets in all Switzerland .What issue do they make?

On November 28, 1974, Switzerland ratified the European Convention on Human Rights. By virtue of Article 9 of the European convention, everyone has the right of freedom of religion, including the right to practice one's belief. According to Article 14 of the same convention, these rights are secured without discrimination on any grounds. Switzerland must abide by international law.

According to the HRC, the word practice encompasses a broad range of acts. The concept of "practice" applies not only to ritual and ceremonial acts but also to various practices integral to such acts. In its General Comment, the human rights body expressly mentions a list of integral acts, including the right to build places of worship.

Switzerland should realize that they have hurt the feelings of Muslims worldwide. It looks like Muslims have become the last escape for racism and discrimination. In today’s world, there are international movements to protect the world from global warming. It is a common responsibility that all human beings should share. Such a charged atmosphere does not support congregational movements. Moreover, it creates tension and counter tension erecting hurdles in the way of building a harmonious cohesiveness of all components of society. It makes some feel at home while others will never have it breaking the rule of reciprocality deemed to be an essential foundation of coexistence. Switzerland should realize such a step is far beyond time and place. It reminds us of the dark ages and it contradicts the European symphony of democracy. Some people believe that in the course of time there emerges a phalanx, who would proclaim the decline of the age democracy and hail the age of power. To foil this conception, Switzerland should revoke the minaret ban. The EU should take serious actions to disassociate itself therefrom and clearly express condemnation. EU has to defend its values within the European territory