A black cord is attached to a container made of red leather. The cover of the container is reminiscent of a book cover, and it slides out from inside it to show a small box which could have something placed inside. 

We think this is a Ta'wiz (also Tawiz or Taweez), which is the Islamic name for a locket containing verses or symbols from the Quran; an amulet. (Unusually, it is red rather than black) There is some debate about whether it is permissable to wear these amulets. The contents must meet certain conditions and must be protected, so the leather cover is very important. Sometimes they are worn by those who cannot read or have not learned the particular prayer; sometimes by the sick. Most Ta'wiz are made up of a small paper containing the prayers which is repeatedly folded and sewn inside a tiny cloth pouch, black in colour. A black thread is used to wear it as a locket.

It is popular to wear these in India and in Pakistan.