A Bowler's New Path: The Story of Imaad Fortuin
Bjorn Fortuin
26 years old, from South Africa
My Life Before Islam
Bjorn Fortuin was born on October 21, 1994, in Paarl in the Western Cape of South Africa. From an early age he was drawn to cricket, developing his game in the talent-rich leagues of the Cape and rising through the provincial ranks as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He made his senior debut for Boland as a teenager and later moved to the Lions franchise, where his consistent left-arm spin earned him recognition on the domestic circuit. Known for his calm presence and humble manner, he seemed destined for higher honours, yet beneath the milestones he was quietly searching for a deeper meaning beyond the game.
The Moment of Guidance
Fortuin's path to Islam began through personal study and reflection rather than a single dramatic event. Surrounded by the diverse faith community of the Cape, he read about Islam, engaged with its teachings and felt his heart drawn toward its message of submission to God. In April 2021, during the blessed month of Ramadan, those spiritual reflections reached their conclusion. He decided to embrace Islam and change his life around the faith he had come to love, choosing the name Imaad for himself and taking this step together with his wife, who also converted alongside him. The following morning, they were married as Muslims.
Reflections
On April 24, 2021, during the last ten days of Ramadan, Bjorn Fortuin officially became a Muslim, taking the name Imaad. That same night he and his wife were united in marriage, marking the beginning of their new life as a Muslim family. Less than two weeks later, on May 6, 2021, he made his international debut for South Africa against Pakistan in Centurion, becoming only the second South African international cricketer after Wayne Parnell to openly embrace Islam while playing for the national team. For Fortuin, the moment of guidance was quiet, sincere and deeply personal, yet it quietly changed the course of his sporting life.
Since his conversion, Imaad Fortuin has carried his faith into a career that continues to flourish. He became a key part of the South Africa limited-overs setup, delivering consistent performances with his left-arm spin in both the national team and domestic competitions such as the SA20 league. He has spoken openly about how his faith grounds him, bringing peace and focus to his life on and off the field. As one of a small number of openly Muslim players in South African international cricket, he has become a role model for young cricketers across the country, proving that faith and elite sport can walk the same path together.