Is it better for the seeker of knowledge to wear the iqaal or not?
Question

                It is known that wearing the ‘Iqaal (the headband worn in the Gulf States) is permissible thing as it was not prohibited. The issue of the ‘Iqaal should not take a bigger importance than it deserves but yet I have a question: is it preferred for the student of knowledge, the khateeb of the Friday prayer, the imam of the mosque or whoever in such positions to wear the ‘Iqaal in those positions or not, as it is a habit here in my country? And why? May Allah reward you and bless you with success.
Praise be to Allah.
    Wearing the iqaal is permissible, as you say, and it is 
    better for a person to follow the customs of his country so that he will not 
    stand out among them because of his odd dress or appearance.  

    If the tradition is for the people of knowledge – judges, 
    khateebs and imams of mosques – not to wear the iqaal, and you are one of 
    them, then it may be said that it is better not to wear it, but if someone 
    wears it, it does not matter. 

    Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was 
    asked: What is the ruling on wearing the iqaal, as I see that the imams and 
    muezzins do not wear it. 

    He replied: There is nothing wrong with wearing the iqaal, 
    because the basic principle with regard to clothing is that it is 
    permissible so long as there is no evidence that it is haraam. Allaah 
    denounced those who regarded kinds of clothing or food as haraam with no 
    shar’i evidence. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

    “Say (O Muhammad صلى الله 
    عليه وسلم): Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by 
    Allaah, which He has produced for His slaves, and At-Tayyibaat [all kinds of 
    Halaal (lawful) things] of food?”

    [al-A’raaf 7:32]

    But if there is evidence which indicates that this clothing 
    is haraam in and of itself, such as silk for men and that which contains 
    images for men and women, or it is haraam because of its type, such as if 
    this clothing is clothing of the kuffaar and is worn only by them, then it 
    is haraam, otherwise the basic principle is that it is permissible. End 
    quote from Fataawa Islamiyyah (4/246). 

    And Allaah knows best.