I am honored to give today a keynote address about a major contemporary Islamic scholar, leader, and good friend, Dr. Taha Jaber al-Alwani. Our American Muslim community has been blessed by the distinguished leadership of a select group of dedicated American Muslims, male and female, who are no longer with us. Among them, Dr. Taha was a towering figure. He was a prolific writer, and an outstanding thought leader with an admiring international following that I often encountered during my travels.