Cultivating Spiritual Culture through Principal Leadership : A Case Study of an Integrated Islamic Elementary School

Authors

  • Syahrial Yal UPTD SMP Negeri 4 Kecamatan Lareh Sago Halaban
  • Nurarifah Dinas Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota
  • Arwis Yuliana UPTD SD Negeri 04 Halaban Kecamatan Lareh Sago Halaban
  • Dina Gusniati UPTD SD Negeri 02 Andaleh Kecamatan Luak

Keywords:

Integrated Islamic School Culture, Participative School Leadership, Principal Spiritual Leadership, Religious School Culture, Spiritual Values Integration

Abstract

This study examines the role of the principal leadership in cultivating spiritual culture at SD IT An-Nadzhir, an integrated Islamic elementary school in Payakumbuh, Indonesia. Despite growing interest in spiritual leadership within educational contexts, limited research has specifically explored how principals develop religious culture in Islamic school facing modernization challenges. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, this study purposively selected informants including the principal, teachers, staff, students, parents, and school committee member (n=10). Data were collected through in depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, then analyzed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s interactive model. Finding reveal that the principal cultivated spiritual culture through five strategic approaches : modelling religious behavior, institutionalizing religious routines, strengthening religious programs, practicing Islamic communication, and supervising spiritual values implementation. Spiritual culture manifested through congregational Dhuha prayer, Qur’an memorization, student preaching programs, greeting culture, and integration of Islamic values across the curriculum. The principal’s religious and participatory leadership fostered a harmonious, disciplined, and Islamic characterized school environment. This study contributes empirical evidence on spiritual leadership practices in Islamic education and offers practical implications for school administrators seeking to strengthen religious culture amidst educational modernization.

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Published

2026-06-26

How to Cite

Yal, S., Nurarifah, Arwis Yuliana, & Dina Gusniati. (2026). Cultivating Spiritual Culture through Principal Leadership : A Case Study of an Integrated Islamic Elementary School. Al-Fikrah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 14(1). Retrieved from https://ejournal.uinmybatusangkar.ac.id/ojs/index.php/alfikrah/article/view/17103

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Syahrial Yal, Nurarifah, Arwis Yuliana, Dina Gusniati

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