1.8 million pilgrims perform stand at Arafah ritual in Saudi

RIYADH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Around 1.8 million pilgrims arrived Sunday in Saudi mount Arafat to perform stand at Arafah ritual, the most important event in Hajj.

Local news confirmed the arrival of pilgrims from early hours of Sunday to perform afternoon and evening prayer in mount Arafat. They will remain there until sunset and them move to Muzdalifah to stay overnight.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Mecca, Prince Khalid Al Faisal announced to the press on Sunday the success of the first day of Hajj as all pilgrims preformed that day rituals with ease.

Saudi Arabia is taking strict security measures to protect the holy sites from any terrorist attack, similar to blasts that occurred in various places of worships in recent years.