Education will lead to those things, certainly. And given its relatively short history (Independence in 71), I think Qatar is doing a remarkable job. A Moroccan friend of mine went to a WISE conference to present her education project (Something like TeachforAmerica) and got a lot of help. Things like this were unimaginable just a decade ago. The urge to change is genuine.

I wonder, if they genuinely teach evolution & science or critical thinking, or the scientific method or omit most part of the modern science and focus on tech in the name of sultan?

Interesting point. "Education" can be propaganda. It can also focus on specific technical skills (e.g. the three R's). Does it necessarily lead to tolerance?

I think education that enables people to create new skills - to explore, test, discover - necessarily encourages a questioning mindset (I wonder why it's like this... is there a better way?); an appreciation of diverse perspectives (an outside insight can lead to the solution); humility (noticing that you don't know). All these may lead to tolerance. Though, it's easy for even the best of us to lose sight of these.

You can avoid this by teaching only specific technical skills - but this means you are dependent on others doing the creating. Mind you, this area of the world (the fertile crescent) was first with the fundamental new skills underlying civilization.

Qatar has its downfalls, but tolerance of women? I think you're thinking of Saudi Arabia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar#Women.27s_rights

I have a friend working as a student liason in a Doha university, they have a very good representation of women and it was well-attended by foreigners but by those of other wealthy countries. The campus seemed to be devoid of any religious artifacts, though I'm sure there are plenty of mosques available. Considering Doha is built by workers from India and other countries where the poor come for money, I don't believe they extended their wealth to these people. We can only hope for gradual change as their children grow up in a multi-national world. The campus they are building is massive and has university branches from some of the best in the world, so I can't imagine there is any open prejudice tolerated.

I think education comes first. Not that it should, but that it does.

Educated people tend to realize they're missing out on a lot by excluding women and hating on people illogically. But that's just my theory.

I think what people are tought is a big part of any education program. It is the values and ethics that that program teaches that matters.

The Qatari government is a bit more progressive on those issues than the Qatari population. I'd say the same thing about most of the UAE (especially Dubai).