On Wednesday, in response to a CAIR effort to find photos of American Muslims for a special project, the group received a phone call from someone asking sarcastically, "Do you want a picture of the guy in Salt Lake?"

Buba Roth, a spokeswoman for the Consortium of Multicultural Groups, said such reactions are evidence of a general lack of understanding of the refugee community. They are also at least partially to blame for a reluctance by many Bosnians to talk to reporters, said Roth, a Serbian who speaks for the Consortium's 26 ethnic organizations, including a Bosnian association.

"People living here 10 or more years in America still don't even feel the freedom to communicate with the media," she said. "They are so afraid, and so isolated."

Roth said she sees the potential for escalation of the harassment and is working to start discussions among refugees and the mainstream community to foster increased understanding.

"Someone needs to start communication," she said. "Maybe we will be able to express who we are. ... We are Americans, we want the best for this country."

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