Published on Nov 23 2009 by Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan, Tilford, Surrey

The overwhelming majority of Muslims living in Switzerland, as in the rest of Europe, would just like to be able to live their lives peacefully as good citizens of the lovely country they have been graciously welcomed into. Having a mosque is a positive thing; like a church, it is a place where people are reminded constantly of their duty to do good and to help their neighbours and the wider society.

Removing mosques from the equation will leave the young generation of Muslims without this important framework for moral teaching. In the UK, we can now see the results of two generations having abandoned their church attendance: selfishness, immorality and crime have increased exponentially. A minaret on a mosque is NOT a symbol of any "Islamic claim for power". Seeing a minaret should reassure Swiss nationals that it is the symbol of a place to which people are called to honour and worship the Lord God, the Creator of the universe, and reminded to do good to their fellow beings. If there is a tiny minority of religious bigots who use a mosque as a political platform to air their obnoxious views, they should be monitored and dealt with appropriately by the Swiss government, and the Muslim community would be more than willing to co-operate with the authorities as they are doing here in the UK.

We of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community have well integrated into Western society. Our mosques are the oldest in most european countries. We hold dozens of events throughout the year to raise money for cancer research and for many charitable organisations. Our programmes and functions are always attended by all political parties, mayors and leaders of different religions. Our minarets are the symbol of peace and harmony. Banning minarets will NOT bring an end to the small number of Muslim fanatics. On the other hand, allowing minarets will increase the confidence and resolve of the peace-loving majority of Muslims to become actively engaged and integrated members of Swiss society.