OP, religious freedom was always a bit iffy in switzerland, because a few centuries ago there was a catholic vs protestant war there and ever since the two sides have not liked each other very much and ignore every other religion. Catholic church steeples used to be banned in some regions, so this minaret thing is nothing new.
Also worth noting it's a country that was created out of xenophobia and it's been one of its directing principles ever since. Didn't join EU, only became a UN member fairly recently, etc. They like their country clean and tidy.
Picture hobbits with guns and you have a good approximation.