Institutionalizing Zakat in Muslim Minority Countries: A Conceptual Framework for Building Trust and Enhancing Community Engagement

Abstract

Institutionalizing zakat in Muslim minority contexts presents significant challenges and opportunities. This paper develops a conceptual framework aimed at enhancing trust and community engagement in zakat institutions operating outside the Muslim majority world. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature and evidence from diverse minority settings such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines, the framework integrates trust building, governance, transparency, legal legitimacy, and participatory community engagement as core pillars. The paper argues that trust in Zakat institutions is multidimensional, which is rooted in ability, integrity, and motivation, and that institutional credibility can be enhanced through strategic reforms in governance, inclusive outreach, and legal recognition. It offers a pathway for strengthening zakat systems in Muslim minority societies and highlights directions for future empirical validation.