Jilali Bettioui, 57, lives in Trowbridge. He was born in Morocco and moved to England in 1969 after his father, a fighter in the French army, died. He moved to Wiltshire in 1974 and worked at Bowyers and Airsprung while working tirelessly for the community.
He set up Trowbridge's first burial ground for Muslims, forming the committee that built the town's mosque, twinning the town with his birth town of Oujda and chairing the Wiltshire Racial Equality Council. He appears briefly in a video of the history of Trowbridge, played continuously in the town's museum. He is married to Yamina, has three grown-up daughters and two granddaughters.
How would your best friend describe you?
As someone who works for the community and helps anyone from any culture if they need it and if I am able.
Where would you recommend for a great evening out?
Assam Authentic Indian Cuisine in Trowbridge because they offer halal meat that is prepared as prescribed by Muslim law.
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What do you do for fun?
I used to kick a football about with friends before my shoulder became too painful. Now I like to travel. I have been to Algeria, Belgium, Holland, France and I would like to continue exploring this country, the Scottish countryside and my birth country of Morocco.
Describe your most vivid dream.
I live my dream everyday just by living in England, which is the best country in the world. I feel lucky to be here.
Who in the public eye do you most respect and why?
I have sworn allegiance to the King and Queen and I admire Andrew Murrison MP because he is always willing to help people. It is the doctors and nurses at Roundstone Surgery in Trowbridge that I admire most because they have taken care of me all my life.
What is your biggest regret?
I don't have any. I feel lucky to be here, I'm happy and reasonably fit. I would have liked to pay the mortgage off earlier but that's all.
What is your favourite television programme?
I love comedy because me and my wife love to laugh and I also like natural history programmes.
What makes you sad?
When I see people starving or going hungry. I know what it is like to be driven half mad with hunger and the waste of food in the west is terrible.
Describe your perfect day.
I would rise before sunrise to pray and then have breakfast. I would like to have meetings with people running projects to help people and then see my grandchildren in the evening before settling down to pray with my wife and going to bed early.
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