A former minister for housing and local government in Malaysia, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said she is willing to go to Afghanistan and guide the Taliban on women's rights and empowerment.

According to Malay Mail, Zuraida said in a statement that the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan would lead to hostility towards women.

She also called upon other Muslim countries to send representatives to Afghanistan and educate the Taliban on women's rights and empowerment.

"Progressive Muslim countries around the world should also send representatives among their female leaders to Afghanistan to help with the country’s women’s empowerment agenda. Should this opportunity arise, I would be interested to be in Afghanistan to assist in guiding the government and the people of Afghanistan in women’s development and empowerment," she said.

She also said that Malaysia, as a modernising Islamic nation, can share with them their experiences in many areas, which are in line with the true teachings of Islam.

“As a modernising Islamic country, there are many things we can share with them, especially on how to optimise the role of women in administration, politics, education, economics and social, which are in line with the true teachings of Islam,” she said in a statement as quoted by Malay Mail.

Despite the hype, Zuraida did admit that it would be a challenging mission, but added that it was an "obligation" to try and ensure acceptable pathways for women and girls in Afghanistan.

Taliban ruled with harsh interpretation of Islamic law

Associated Press reported that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they vowed to respect women's rights.

They also said the group would forgive those who fought them and that Afghanistan would not be a haven for terrorists.

Media reports have quoted the Taliban leadership to show that they are portraying themselves as moderate Muslims.

However, many Afghans remain sceptical of the Taliban's sweet promises.

Under the Taliban rule previously, they adhered to a harsh interpretation of the Islamic law.

Women had to don the burqa and must always be accompanied by a male relative when they were outside the house.

Girls more than 10 years old were not allowed to go to school, and were forced into arranged marriages as young as 12-years-old.

Related stories:

Top image via Zuraida Kamaruddin/Facebook