It is not as though they issue "membership cards" to al Qaeda members. It is also becoming increasingly obvious to intelligence communities that al Qaeda's purpose is not just to plan attacks on the West, or even to directly gain territory for Muslims, but also (and perhaps most importantly) to recruit and inspire other Muslims who homegrow therir own cells that do both of those things for Islam and the uma -- like the Fort Dix Six.
Also, during the last several years a bunch of Saudi money has been going to the Muslim minorities in Bulgaria for mosque building. Hope they keep a close eye on what the “peaceful” teachings are there.
Well, I just thought I would raise the level of discourse.