<![CDATA[Character education plays a critical role in developing students’ religious attitudes, particularly in elementary madrasahs where moral values are expected to become part of students’ everyday behavior. This study aims to analyze the role of character education in shaping students’ religious attitudes at MIN 1 Pulau Morotai, an elementary Islamic madrasah located in a disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost region of Indonesia. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach using a case study strategy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, and document analysis involving the head of the madrasah, vice principal, classroom teachers, and students. Data were analyzed through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification, with source and technique triangulation used to strengthen credibility. The findings indicate that character education contributes to the development of religious attitudes through teacher role modeling, systematic religious habituation, behavioral reinforcement, supervision, and family involvement. Religious attitudes were reflected not only in ritual practices but also in honesty, responsibility, discipline, respect, and social concern. However, differences in parental support created inconsistencies in the continuity of character formation between school and home. The study concludes that religious character development is an ecological process requiring sustained collaboration among teachers, students, families, and the madrasah. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening school family partnerships in character education within disadvantaged educational contexts.]]>
