<![CDATA[The low level of students’ religious skills and the limited research on the effectiveness of IMTAQ programs in shaping Islamic character in schools have become important concerns. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the IMTAQ program and its contribution to improving religious skills and character formation among secondary school students. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation involving the principal, supervising teachers, and eleventh-grade students at Sekolah Menengah Atas Al-Ma’shum Sidodadi Kisaran. The findings indicate that the IMTAQ program, conducted weekly, effectively improves students’ Qur’anic reading abilities, Islamic public speaking skills, and religious character development. Activities such as Qur’anic recitation (tilawah), religious lectures, and Islamic arts foster students’ self-confidence and discipline in worship. The program’s success is supported by the principal’s commitment, active teacher involvement, adequate facilities, and students’ enthusiasm. The main obstacles include weather conditions, limited teacher time, and differences in students’ confidence levels. The IMTAQ program also strengthens the school’s religious culture by fostering the consistent, sustainable habituation of Islamic values in students’ daily activities. In conclusion, the IMTAQ program effectively enhances students’ religious skills, Islamic character, and spiritual culture through structured religious activities within the school environment. This study offers an applicable Islamic character education model as a best practice for spiritual development in religion-based secondary schools.]]>
