<![CDATA[Branding has become increasingly important for Islamic educational institutions amid growing competition among educational providers and changing community expectations regarding educational services. However, branding is still frequently understood primarily as a promotional and image-building activity, while its relationship with stakeholder experience and public trust remains insufficiently examined in an integrated manner. This study aims to analyze the management of Islamic educational institution branding in building public trust. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis involving institutional leaders, teachers, administrative staff, students, parents, alumni, and community representatives. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis through coding, categorization, theme development, and source triangulation. The findings reveal four major dimensions of branding management: (1) the construction of institutional identity based on Islamic values; (2) consistency of educational service experiences; (3) strategic communication and community engagement; and (4) institutional reputation as the foundation of public trust. The findings demonstrate that public trust is not generated merely through promotional activities but develops through consistency between communicated institutional identity, actual educational experiences, institutional communication, and accumulated reputation. This study proposes a conceptual contribution in the form of an Identity–Experience–Reputation–Trust mechanism, in which Islamic identity establishes the brand promise, educational experience validates the promise, strategic communication and community engagement strengthen stakeholder relationships, institutional reputation develops through repeated stakeholder evaluations, and public trust emerges as the ultimate outcome. The study concludes that branding in Islamic educational institutions should be managed as a value-, experience-, reputation-, and trust-based institutional strategy rather than merely as a promotional activity. Keywords: branding management; Islamic educational institutions; institutional identity; reputation; public trust.]]>
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