REINFORCING CHARACTER FORMATION THROUGH ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

In an era marked by rapid technological change, social complexity, and moral challenges, the formation of character in youth has become a critical concern for educators. Islamic educational practices offer a framework that integrates religious values, habituation, teacher role-modelling, and interactive pedagogies to nurture students’ moral, social, and spiritual dimensions. The objective of this study is to investigate how such Islamic educational practices reinforce character formation in the 21st century, identifying effective strategies, challenges, and impacts on student behaviour. Employing a qualitative multiple-case study design, the research draws upon interviews with teachers and students, classroom observations, and document analysis from several Islamic primary and secondary institutions in Indonesia. Data are analyzed using thematic coding and triangulation to ensure validity. The findings reveal that character formation is significantly strengthened through consistent habituation of religious rituals (e.g., daily prayer, gratitude), integration of Islamic values in curricula, teachers serving as role models, cooperative learning strategies, and community involvement. However, limitations such as diversity in student backgrounds, time constraints, and digital distractions pose challenges. The study suggests that Islamic educational institutions should emphasize holistic character curricula, teacher training, and partnership with families and communities to sustain moral formation in the 21st century.