Any idea what this is?

UPDATE: There are a few correct answers in the comments. We added orange flower water but it is also used for rose water. A few drops in a cup of coffee or a fruit salad and you're set to go. I walked right by them before and had no idea. I'm unable to confirm whether it could also be Palin's radio for the debate though it would be slightly more discrete than Bush's radio on his back in 2004.

Some good friends brought this back from the Maghreb recently and I had no idea what it was until they explained. Fortunately I had what is supposed to go inside after our recent visit to Tunisia. The coffee mug is there to give you an idea about size of the object which is used at the table. Take a guess and I'll update later in the day. I'm desperate for caffeine at the moment.