Ideological Sleeper Cells

What the hell is an "ideological sleeper cell"?

A Mr Kara-Ali was quoted in The Australian today as stating that he believes there are up to 3'000 Muslims in Australia in "ideological sleeper cells".

No it's not people who have infiltrated Australia lying in wait until triggered when they'll attack us with new political parties, freshly penned letters to editors etc.... He clarifies:

"I believe in Sydney alone there's about 2000 and 3000 young Muslims vulnerable to being radicalised," he said.

"There are ideological sleeper cells waiting to be completely radicalised. Because radicalisation ... is to act upon your extremist teachings."

Now there's clearly nothing funny about what he's saying if it's true, but "ideological sleeper cells"? Either they're in real sleeper cells or they aren't. The general community are already scared shitless at the prospect of there being real sleeper cells amongst them, so do we really need to create sub-categories in order to keep them vigilant?

The Australian's editorialists clearly love the idea:

'He estimates there are between 2000 and 3000 radicalised Muslims in Sydney alone and possibly double that in Australia, who are ideological sleeper cells and who could become extremists.'

You think it'll catch on?