Festival Anak Saleh as a Platform for Integrating Creativity and Islamic Character Education in Rural Children

The Festival Anak Saleh (Pious Children Festival), a community service initiative implemented through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach by students from UIN Professor Kiai Haji Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto in Kalierang Village, Bumiayu District, Brebes Regency, Central Java (July–August 2024), aimed to foster spiritual growth and positive Islamic character among rural children by integrating religious education with creative activities, thereby deepening their understanding of Islamic values and noble morals while developing their talents as the nation's future generation and providing a platform for parents and teachers to exchange effective Islamic child-rearing methods; dozens of children enthusiastically participated in competitions such as wudhu practice, adhan recitation, religious singing, Muslim fashion show, and Islamic quiz following collaborative stages of problem identification, intervention planning, action implementation (including orientation and training), and evaluation through reflective discussions and the culminating event, resulting in enhanced engagement with Islamic principles, increased community involvement, and evidence of the effectiveness of participatory, creative approaches in rural character education that can be replicated elsewhere for sustainable development.