The most recent research showed that religious character is a character that was considered most important by the people of Indonesia in facing the challenges of modern life. Therefore, the religious character was needed to be instilled in the young generation through various channels, especially at formal educational institutions. This study aimed to describe the principal's strategy in instilling religious character in students. This research was a type of qualitative research with a case study approach conducted at Al-Mujahidin Muhammadiyah Elementary School, a favourite elementary school in Wonosari Gunungkidul, Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The collected data were analyzed by inductively interactive data analysis techniques. The results showed that the principal used four strategies in instilling character to students, namely exemplary strategies, habit forming, integration in teaching in the classroom, and reinforcement in the form of reward and punishment. The findings of this study underlined the central role of the principal as a top leader in implementing religious character education in schools.