Enhancing Financial Accountability: Transparent Mosque Management for Zakat and Alms Optimization

Abstract

Mosques play a strategic role in managing Islamic philanthropic funds such as Zakat, Infaq, and Alms to support community welfare. However, many community mosques still rely on traditional financial management practices that lack standardized reporting systems and transparency, potentially limiting the optimization of charitable resources and reducing public trust. This community service program aimed to enhance financial accountability and strengthen transparent management practices for Zakat and Alms at Nurul Hikmah Mosque in Pemuteran Village, Buleleng, Bali. The program employed a participatory implementation approach through financial literacy workshops, technical mentoring, and collaborative capacity-building activities involving mosque administrators (Takmir) and youth members (Remas). The intervention focused on introducing systematic financial recording procedures, transparent reporting mechanisms, and simple digital financial management tools suitable for community-based institutions. The results demonstrated significant improvements in participants’ knowledge of financial governance, technical accounting skills, and the ability to produce transparent financial reports for mosque activities. The adoption of a standardized reporting system also strengthened institutional accountability and increased community confidence in the management of Zakat and Alms funds. Overall, the program contributed to community empowerment by reinforcing responsible financial governance and supporting sustainable socio-economic development within a minority Muslim community context.