Mumbai: Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, known for her acting prowess, made her debut on Instagram with a powerful post on Friday (August 20). The 'Maleficent’ star shared a handwritten letter, which she received from a young girl in war-torn Afghanistan. The teenage girl expressed her fears and pain amid Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in her letter.  


Why Angelina Jolie Joined Instagram? 


The 46-year-old revealed that she joined the social media platform as she wanted to share stories of the people, who are fighting for basic human rights. Citing the example of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Jolie said that the people in the country are losing their ability to express themselves freely on social media.  


“This is a letter I was sent from a teenage girl in Afghanistan. Right now, the people of Afghanistan are losing their ability to communicate on social media and to express themselves freely. So I’ve come on Instagram to share their stories and the voices of those across the globe who are fighting for their basic human rights,” She wrote. 


Angelina Jolie’s First Instagram Post 


The ‘Lara Croft: Tom Raider’ star said that she met Afghan refugees who fled from the Taliban when she visited the border of Afghanistan, two weeks before the 9/11 attacks. 


“I was on the border of Afghanistan two weeks before 9/11, where I met Afghan refugees who had fled the Taliban. This was twenty years ago. It is sickening to watch Afghans being displaced yet again out of the fear and uncertainty that has gripped their country. To spend so much time and money, to have blood shed and lives lost only to come to this, is a failure almost impossible to understand,” Jolie wrote. 


The 'Salt' star also talked about meeting Afghan women and girls, who fought for their rights and education. She added that she will continue to look for ways to provide assistance to the people.


"Watching for decades how Afghan refugees - some of the most capable people in the world - are treated like a burden is also sickening. Knowing that if they had the tools and respect, how much they would do for themselves. And meeting so many women and girls who not only wanted an education, but fought for it. Like others who are committed, I will not turn away. I will continue to look for ways to help. And I hope you’ll join me.," her post read.



Angelina’s first post has received over 2 million likes within 24 hours. The Academy Award-winning actress has garnered over 5 million Instagram followers after sharing the post on the popular social media platform. Jolie is currently following the Instagram handles of NAACP, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Doctors Without Borders.


On the professional front, Angelina Jolie will be next seen in ‘Eternals’. 


Watch this space for more updates!