Strengthening Islamic religious literacy in building religious character and culture in elementary schools

Abstract

The issue of religious literacy is crucial, particularly in the context of Quranic reading ability. This study aims to scrutinize the practice of religious literacy through continuous habituation and experiential learning, and its implications for religious culture in elementary schools. To answer these research objectives, this study focuses on the question "How is religious literacy implemented through various religious practices in elementary schools? What are the implications for the formation of students' character and religious culture?" To answer these questions, this study employs a qualitative single instrumental case study approach, drawing on observation, interviews, and documentation. The results show that strengthening religious literacy is realized through habitual practices, such as reading the Quran, praying in congregation, reciting tahlil, reciting Asma al Husna, providing a reading corner, and commemorating religious holidays. These practices contribute to improving students' religious literacy, fostering attitudes of discipline, responsibility, and tolerance, and encouraging the formation of a school religious culture in students' social lives. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that religious literacy has real implications for the formation of students' character and religious culture, especially when implemented through continuous habituation and experiential learning in a consistent and structured manner.

Abstrak

Persoalan literasi keagamaan merupakan isu penting, khususnya pada aspek kemampuan membaca Al-Qur'an. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji praktik literasi keagamaan melalui pembiasaan berkelanjutan dan pembelajaran pengalaman, serta implikasinya terhadap budaya keagamaan di sekolah dasar. Untuk menjawab tujuan penelitian ini, studi ini berfokus pada pertanyaan “Bagaimana literasi agama diimplementasikan melalui berbagai praktik keagamaan di sekolah dasar? Apa implikasinya terhadap pembentukan karakter dan budaya keagamaan siswa?” Untuk menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan tersebut, penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus instrumental tunggal kualitatif, dengan menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penguatan literasi agama diwujudkan melalui praktik-praktik kebiasaan, seperti membaca Al-Qur'an, salat berjemaah, membaca tahlil, membaca Asma al Husna, menyediakan pojok baca, dan memperingati hari raya keagamaan. Praktik ini berkontribusi pada peningkatan literasi agama siswa, menumbuhkan sikap disiplin, tanggung jawab, dan toleransi, serta mendorong pembentukan budaya keagamaan sekolah dalam kehidupan sosial siswa. Berdasarkan temuan tersebut, dapat disimpulkan bahwa literasi agama memiliki implikasi nyata terhadap pembentukan karakter dan budaya keagamaan siswa, terutama bila diimplementasikan melalui pembiasaan berkelanjutan dan pembelajaran pengalaman secara konsisten dan terstruktur.